Is Unplugging the "New Black?"

David Pierce on attending the US Open without gadgets, which were banned:
 

I’m the last person who would ever recommend unplugging from technology for days, or weeks, or even hours. But, in small spurts, it can be a great thing. Have an errand to run? Don’t bring your cell phone. Enjoy the fact that even if you wanted to be productive, you can’t. Be bored, be present, and be in the dark – it’s a weird feeling, but it’s a good one.

 
Is boredom the new black? He seems to say that unplugging is becoming a trend but I am not so sure. People are cuttig back on gorging on media but connectivity it seems is something we want, no expect, to have everywhere.
 
Do you unplug? I never do except in meetings and when the FAA forces me to.

Posted via email from The Steve Rubel Lifestream

Comments

[Rob Usdin]

Unplugging isn't the new black, but talking about unplugging is the new black. Don't talk about it, just do it.

--*Rob

[Wayan]

Unplugging? What is this? an activity for people who cannot manage their gadgetry? If you need to unplug, you might need to reassess how much control you allow electronic to have over your life.

[Heather]

I love my iPhone and all its apps as much as the next person, but there are times when it's nice to unplug. Even if it's just when my husband (equally addicted to his iPhone) and I run out for dinner or go for a walk at night. I know myself and many of my friends feel the need to live up to this "always on, always connected" lifestyle. And, normally, it' fun and even energizing, but sometimes we just need to get away ... to flip the off switch. Even just for an hour. I'm not sure it's the new black, if you define black as trendy. But, if you mean black like the simple, reliable, go-to solution, than maybe that is a good way to describe a quick unplug.

Heather (@prtini)

[Neville Hobson]

>> Have an errand to run? Don’t bring your cell phone.

As someone who lives on two mobile devices - a Nokia N95 8GB and an iPhone 3G - I do this all the time when I head out on those errand runs where I'll be out for an hour or so.

Completely unplugged. About once a week. It's liberating!

[Rob Usdin]

I want to clarify my comments. When we see someone say they are "unplugging" on Twitter or wherever - it's almost a badge of pride. They are so plugged in, they feel the need to tell everyone they're ACTUALLY going to be without technology for a period of time.

I can see emailing your co workers letting them know that you'll be out of touch for a bit, but using it as a bragging right - I don't know. It kind of rubs me the wrong way. Not only that, but it seems like I've seen a bunch of blog posts about this subject lately, so that's why I feel like talking about it is "in". It's rather meta talk to me.

I feel like as we live our lives on the internet, some tend to pay more attention to that often then they do their real life friends and families. That's not saying that you don't interact with your real life friends on the internet, but you also have so many more that you don't know in real life.

I think it's more important to just unplug, rather than announce you're doing it to the world. Do it without announcing it, and watch what happens when people can't reach you through your public channels. The important people in your life DO know how to get a hold of you, and their presence will be known. That's when you'll find out who is really important.

--*Rob

[Brendan]

I was completely skeptical. But I just returned from a two week vacation to Lebanon where I had no real choice. It was the best part of vacation! And now that I am back I haven't twittered or blogged, or checked email once I leave work (and I don't miss it).

[Joy-Mari Cloete]

Being unplugged doesn't mean you're bored. What about talking to other people? Or what about watching the clouds/sun/people walking around?

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