TAP-TAP, BUZZ-BUZZ, RING, DING. We hear these sounds at the dinner table, in coffee shops, at the gym, on vacation, at the bar, in the car, at work, before going to bed — they have become a part of our lives and have changed they way we go about our days. Image: 636557029403829278-022713-unplugged-RG-05.jpg In March 2013, Eastern Michigan University Professor Christine Tracy (center left) holds a sign showing what she will do along with students from her Media Ecology course as part of National Day of Unplugging. This is the first year the students are taking part in a way for people to step away from their devices and reconnect with each other. Take a moment and ask yourself: When was the last time I took a break from my phone for a …show more content…
whole day? The National Day of Unplugging – which begins March 9 at sundown and ends March 10 at sundown – provides the opportunity to get away from technology in a collective effort.
The initiative is hosted by Reboot, a New-York based cultural non-profit working to affirm the value of Jewish traditions in the modern world. The idea of the National Day of Unplugging roots from the Sabbath Manifesto – a project Reboot created designed to slow things down in an increasingly hectic world. It is based on the Jewish ritual of "carving out one day per week to unwind, unplug, relax, reflect, get outdoors and connect with loved ones," according to Reboot's website. "Reboot established the National Day of Unplugging in 2010 because we recognized that people are tired of always being plugged in," said Reboot spokesperson Tanya Schevitz."The expectation that you are always reachable and will respond immediately to notifications and phone calls has created a society of people who are on edge and overwhelmed." Those participating in the National Day of Unplugging are encouraged to use a "phone sleeping bag," a drawstring tote that many locations hosting events related to the day will be giving out. The bag can also be ordered (for free) through the non-profit's
website. "The bag is more than symbolic," said Schevitz. "Studies show if a phone is in sight, you are more inclined to touch it or use it, which can really impact the quality of a conversation." The organization hosts a day of unplugging in 206 countries and has a strong base in Detroit – with over 20 events across the city. Third Man Records in Midtown will be embracing the National Day of Unplugging with several activities from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., including a sing-along for toddlers by The Well, guided meditation, solo and group musical performances and more. At all five of their locations, Avalon International Breads will be giving out phone sleeping bags and a free sea salt chocolate chip cookie to those who use them. The bakery will also be supplying coloring and children's books, newspapers, board games and more low-tech activities. "We like to encourage engagement with other people, the way it was before cell phones were invented," said Avalon Marketing Manager Christina Ross. "Avalon has an environment that is open for all and where people can get to know each other." The Detroit Institute of Arts will be passing out phone sleeping bags and allowing patrons to design it themselves. Additionally, they will be teaching guests how to make hand-stitched notebooks from noon - 4 p.m. Schevitz said Reboot is not anti-technology, as they use it get their own word out, and acknowledge its many benefits. However, she said "we have reached a tipping point." "The National Day of Unplugging gives people a chance to pause, consider the impact of constant phone use and find a healthy balance," said Schevitz. Contact reporter Omar Abdel-Baqui: 313-222-8850 or oabdelbaqu@freepress.com.
Jenna Wortham’s “Turn Off the Phone (And the Tension)”, most definitely brings the question, “what am I doing?” to mind. This article explains Wortham’s deep opinion on electronic use, and its affects on today’s society. Wortham’s article mentions the idea of going “screenless”, which is removing yourself from your phone or any other device to reconnect with what you’ve been missing in the world. I agree that this strategy is beneficial to those that are attached to their screens. Even though going “screenless” is a work in progress for those that that are completely attached, it is a positive way to view the world in the moment instead of having to capture it for someone else to see,
Technology is getting more and more advanced. It is impressive that what back in the day people would make an extra effort to study, work, or to leave a certain habit. Mark Bittman mentions “It takes different formats for different people, and you have to build up to it; you can’t run five miles if you’ve never run at all (page 3).” Everyone needs courage to fight this addiction and if we preserve, we might defeat this horrible situation. In my personal experience, I’ve always said if you want something, you must give something in return. If we want peace, we need to absent ourselves from making any bad decision. If we want to take vacations, we will need to give time and get money at work. In this case if we want to be free from this terrible addiction, we need to put apart any electronic device little by little. Although, many people think that it is not necessary to leave our phones apart to have peace, other people who have practiced different methods to find inter peace affirms that putting any technology apart had a huge impact in their lives. Even though, Mark Bittman it is not a spiritual person, he found personal peace by making time to relieve his soul. If we give ourselves some more personal space and practice the beautiful hobby of a virtual break, we will find ourselves in a better
Technology can disrupt people’s train of thought. To begin with, many people around the world use technology. Electronics can help students and also affect them in many ways, but whether or not shutting down all electronics can help. Schools should participate in “Shut Down Your Screen Week” because of many reasons.
In our busy lives we often forget to stop and listen to the wonderful sounds our ancestors heard everyday. Our lives are now filled with the constant hum of a car going by or the constant drum of airplanes overhead among other noises. In the video package “Sounds of Silence” Gordon Hampton encourages people to experience nature and all of its magnificent sounds. Hampton shows though, that even where he wishes his square inch of silence is, he can’t escape the sounds of an industrialized nation.
The Internet has become such a huge part of everyone’s life; it would be hard to imagine a world without use of the net anywhere you are. A few years ago the Internet was just something I would use when I was near a computer and needed to look up some information. Then the smart phone come out, and I got my first iPhone. Now, I have use of the net all the time and I do not know what I did before I got my iPhone. It is like I am attached to it. I am constantly using my phone to check scores and get updates. When my phone goes off I feel the need to look at it, and if I do not look at it, it is all I think about.
From the documentary I learned that although our phones and computers may be very helpful when it comes to work and education, they do force us to be connected
Late night cell phone usage can cause harm to one 's sleeping habits. In fact, when I volunteered
As a community, we use our devices way too much and I think that needs to stop. All people think about these days is Facebook, Instagram and video games when we should be thinking about having fun, being active and spending time with your family and friends. I think that we need to focus on the world around us rather than what is going on online. And we can do that by having an “Unplugged Day” which means put down your phones, computers and XBoxes and meet your community at a nice park and just have fun together. There would be food, drinks and fun games to play. This could be a day once a week where you just go have fun and enjoy the world around you. Together as a community, we would have lots of fun together but we don’t know
Walton, Alice G. "Feeling Overconnected? 5 Reasons To Unplug From Technology After Work." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 06 Feb. 2013. Web. 23 May 2014. .
“Hello, are you there?” Yes, I’m here living in the technologically advance year of 2017. Yeah 2017 years seems a lot and at the same time it doesn’t. iPhones, MacBook’s, PC’s, Xbox and so much more have infested the world we live in. In Sherry Turkle’s “A Tethered Life” she states that today’s youth is living “a fully tethered life.” I am what Sherry Turkle described as somebody who’s tethered. But I do know people who are not as Turkle described at all.
To prepare for my 24-hour disconnect is causing a realization of the various factors that will be involved in this. The first thing about being disconnected from social media. I personally will not mind this, I presume. The reason for this is that I mainly use my phone to pass the time. Which leads me to believe that be able to find a new outlet for my quote on quote “boredom” I will be pleased. One of the other obligations that need to be factored in is that I will not be able to contact my family via phone. Which requires me to find a day that I know I have planned nothing. Which would help me not need to coordinate any transportation issues. Lastly, one of the minor things I ought to recognize is the people who contact me to purchase one of the numerous items that I am selling.
Many people now-a-days are glued to their cell phones due to the advanced technology. This isn’t always the healthiest thing to do as I explain. There are three big
Learn something new while you 're at it because doing the same thing over and over again is to repetitive and exploring new techniques will help you forget about your phone.
A few minutes into our conversation, Nadeem Aslam looks startled and asks, "Is it OK if I switch my mobile off?" He stares at it as if he's never seen one before. For the last 11 years, Aslam has lived untroubled by must-have gadgetry. "I basically removed myself from the world," he explains quietly. "My life has been so reduced. I didn't have a mobile phone until I'd finished my book and could afford one, and until there was any need. Now I am trying to engage with the world - things like e-mail and the internet. I feel like Rip Van Winkle."
Using computer, internet, cellphone, television, etc. make peoples’ lives easier and more comfortable. Young people are the most users of it. They cannot think of a single day without using a technical device. Tara Parker-Pope is an author of books on health topics and a columnist for the New York Times. In her article, she expressed that, “The International Center for Media and the Public Agenda at the University of Maryland asked 200 students to refrain from using electronic media for a day.