Communications technology has become overwhelming and dysfunctional. Our barrage of e-mails, text messages, and phone calls is making us too distracted to think clearly, deeply, and effectively to function from day to day. I think it’s time for us to call for official cellphone quiet times each day: 2 hours each morning and 2 hours each afternoon. We need undistracted time for a good portion of each day—or we are deluding ourselves about getting anything done well.
A couple of recent New York Times articles talk about the implications of digital communications overload:
YOUR BRAIN ON COMPUTERS
Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?hp
First Steps to Digital Detox
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/first-steps-to-digital-detox/
Recently took a hike up a mountain that required a climb of about 2900 feet in 3.5 miles. There were beautiful fields of wild flowers along the way. At the top, about 40 people were sitting around, enjoying the view, eating lunch—and checking their cellphones! You would think an exhausting and beautiful climb like that would clear away all need for digital noise. It seemed pathetic that people would feel the need to check for messages on their day off out in the wilderness. People of all ages were doing this. Some sort of social anxiety drives this. Or is it a form of addiction?
What do you think?
© Brother Greg 6/9/10
