Do you check your email during dinner? Text while driving? Browse the web in bed? Ever feel like you need a little break? Join 52 Nights Unplugged, a Ning group to take an evening a week away from our beloved technologies. See video below for source of idea. Hank
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About About
Hank [BS/MSEE,
MSM $$$, Ph.D. Mgmt] teaches Entrepreneurship
&
Innovation and Marketing
@ Purdue University, W. Lafayette, Indiana USA.
His interests include students, anything involving technology, Social
Marketing,
brain-computer interfaces, and boomers as
entrepreneurs. He is also coordinator of Purdue's Certificate
in Entrepreneurship Program. Hank can be
reached 24/7 here: hank -at-entr200-dot-com.
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I think this is a great idea. Many people our age seem to be addicted to texting and instant messaging online. Although it does allow for easy social networking, I think there is a point of overuse that needs to be realized. In my opinion, taking one night a week off would be more than a good idea for people that use instant messaging and texting extensively.
Haha, internet addiction…that’s just a sad phrase right there. It’s so funny to think that people are making careers out of telling other people to not use their electronics for a night. I suppose some people just don’t know how to manage their lives well.
My name is Marissa Pellegrini and I am a technology addict…no—It could be beneficial to be “unplugged” for a night, but I think it would be better for people to just manage their time wisely. I know I depend on the internet for most of my classes and do my banking online, but I don’t really see the point in pretending like these technologies don’t exist for one night a week. They are a part of most of our lives, and if people feel they are “addicted”, they need to readjust their values and look at how they spend their time.
I’m not too addicted to my cell phone (due to a maximum amount of text messages allowed on my plan) but it is nice to have in case of emergencies. I tend to be around the computer a lot if I’m at home, but I’m not dieing if I don’t get to check my e-mail for a day or on vacation with no access to the internet. The key is to keep yourself from getting to that point, because once you get in a habit, it’s hard to break.
It’s sad to think that technology has taken over people’s lives, but it’s so true. All of my friends rather text or talk to each other on AIM, than just go over to their room and meet up with them. I’m sure there are a lot of people who are addicted to technology, but don’t want to admit it because it’s sad.
I can say that I’ve been using my phone a lot more lately, but I wouldn’t be lost without it. It’s nice to have, but I don’t let technology take over my life. This article reminded me of the facebook trend when everyone first got their account and was on it 24/7. I’m not sure how much this program of unplugging for one night will be, because those that know that they need a break should already have a routine of stepping back and relaxing for some time. Interesting idea though.
O wow. I enjoy technology but not this much.
I agree with the idea that people are maybe over connected at time and something needs to be done about it. Completely becoming unplugged for a night is not the solution in my opinion. People should be sensible enough to realize that they need to manage their time better. Nobody needs to be connected to friends, family and social networks all the time. They should use some time to actually have a face to face conversation instead of using technology.
This was interesting! I do love technology, but I agree with people above, I dont love it that much
I would have to agree with what other people said, in the matter of not being addicted to technology! I can honestly say that i am addicted to texting but i dont love technology that much!
I can’t live without my cell phone. Well, I guess I could but it’d be pretty hard. However, I don’t think that it has consumed my life.
The group meeting is a great idea for those who have become lost in the internet world. The sad part is that these types of groups are even being formed. I can’t imagine people not going outside or not being with their significant other simply due to the internet. There’s only so much you can do and it gets boring, at least for me.
Its ironic, and we’ve touched on it a bit in class with some of the highlighted websites, that people are using technology to try and connect with each other. Its something that can pull us out of contact with others, but also something that can help bring us together. Weird… Like most things though, there has to be some balance. It seems like it will be a huge market to develop technologies that can connect people with other people in ways that arent overly addictive. Microsoft tried, and failed unfortunately, with the Zune to be able to share music and listen to a track simultaneously. I think they had the right idea, but I dont know anyone who uses that feature… heck, I don’t know anyone that even has a Zune.
I think this is a great idea because I think we rely way too much on stuff like facebook, texting, email and instant messaging to communicate with people. Even when we walk on campus most people are listening to their ipods and pretty much drown out everyone around them. I think it’s a good idea to physically connect with people because I know that often times communications through technology can lead to misunderstandings. Thus, take some time away from all that technology stuff and get together with some real people. But don’t forget to blog on those technology free days!
I think it’s kind of sad, but then again with anything can be called an addicting to someone and these people just happen to be addicted to technology. It’s definately not as degenerative as gambling or illicit drugs. Technology to me is definately something I am happy to take advantage of, but I manage to realize at the end of the day technology is still just technology. If everything technological were to crash, what would your life be? Anything can be bad in large doses and I think a lot of us take advantage of the real life we live in.
As a college student of course I use technology but my life does not revolve around it. I can see the reason people do get addicted to technology and that is because it is part of their business, they need it to make money and be successful. But just like everything else in life, you should use it in moderation otherwise you become unbalanced. Turning off technology one night a week can help some of these techies maintain their balance.
My cell phone broke last semester which led me to be without one for about two weeks. Not only was it not as bad as I thought it would be, I actually felt relieved to be disconnected for a while. That being said, I am definitely addicted to most technologies, but I am nothing compared to these people. I just feel checking email when I’m walking saves time when I need to sit down and do work. Its just more time efficient to handle things when you can instead of impeding on your time needed for other things
It is very interesting to think that some people are actually “addicted” to the internet and wireless technology. It may not be affecting one’s health directly, such as a drug or other addiction; however, the fact that texting while driving and other potentially dangerous behavior, the effect staring at a comp. has on one’s eyes, and much more can really prove harmful. I know that it’s hard to not use a cell phone at all or a computer seems impossible or like torture, but it’s almost sad that some are completely and totally reliant on these technological devices. Yes, we can’t deny today’s technological advances; yet, we don’t need to be completely reliant on them.
*GASP*… Hank is posting something about using LESS technology?!?!?!
Yeah, so I lost my cellphone while I was in the airport over Spring Break and I thought I was going to die. But it wasn’t over the loss of contact with my friends, but rather the loss of security that comes with having a phone right next to me. I think technology is a great thing, and yes there are too many young people that spend their time on the internet, texting, but hey parents, lets get that thing regulated I guess-isn’t that your job? It’s funny though to think about kids being addicted to their phones, when I want to ask adults if they think they are addicted to their BlackBerry’s (or is it CrackBerry?) and what they should do about it.
Wow, this is a pretty intense idea. I think in general students know how dependent we are on technology. People always talk about how much money they spend to get 500 texts for the month (and then how much more money they spend when they go over the limit) and how “impossible” it is to survive when their cell phone breaks or is lost. I would say I’m pretty dependent on technology as well and I don’t even know if I could give it up for a night. Cell phone and email is a way for others to get a hold of you.
I agree with Pete… during football season my phone got wet during that one game that it totally starting pouring and everyone left! but anyway! i was kind of mad, but after a couple hours it was nice to not be on the phone alllllllll day long… i still check my e-mails about 25-30 timnes a day… i wish i could cut back on that too.. BUT i did have my texting turned off, so… i am a little more unconnected!
i think we are too dependant on our phones/blackberry/pc’s and its out of control…
This is a very interesting idea. I would never do it personally, but I don’t believe technology has taken over my life. It would be hard to go a day without using my laptop or my cell phone though. It doesn’t feel right to me when I don’t have my phone with me, but I don’t use it excessively as many other people do. I don’t think too much technology is a bad thing, but it could be a good idea to use less of it for those people who use it constantly throughout their day.