Can We Ever Truly “Disconnect” in the Network Age?
Our next Network Age Briefing is “Can We Ever Truly ‘Disconnect’ in the Network Age?”
When: August 13, 2009, at 12:oo pm EST/9 am PST.
Web and chat: http://tobtr.com/s/639145
Call-in Number: (347) 945-6578
One of the defining properties of the Network Age is being connected. It’s connect or bust for business, for government, for pleasure — indeed, for survival. But being “always on” must take a toll on us. Are we dodging “meatspace” relationships by burying our noses in our smartphones? Are we burning out? Is a backlash coming?
Join SupernovaHub’s Isabel Walcott Hilborn as she talks with Linda Stone (who coined the phrase “Continuous Partial Attention”), Juliette Powell (Author, “33 Million People in the Room“), and Maggie Jackson (Author, “Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age“) as we discuss disconnecting in the Network Age.
When do you turn off the ringer? What about email purges? Is it ever acceptable to not even read what comes in? What is the best way to take a break? And why are people so sensitive about it? Are we coaxed by the sweet enticements of the net into distractions that keep us from focusing and being productive at our jobs? If so, how do we mediate the distractions and stay on point?
Archived Show:
photo: jrodmanjr
“It’s connect or bust”
Absolutely. I’m looking forward to this discussion as someone who has made a decision to stay only minimally connected. By that I mean I have yet to buy a cellphone (my reasons are many and varied for this, but they are also shrinking). I’ve found there is a real divide when you don’t have a cellphone. People will not make plans or commitments. This was driven home on visits to friends in the Bay Area.
“Let’s meet for dinner Sat. night.
OK! Call me.
Uh, I don’t have a cellphone.
You don’t have a cellphone! Why not?”
So it was very difficult if not impossible to make plans. This is a good example of what used to be called the “digital divide.”
Well put.
Looking forward to seeing (hearing?) you on the Briefing call tomorrow!
“Email apnea” is similar to the physical reaction that occurs when one is watching TV.
Time for “Yoga for the Network Age?”
Who is the Emily Post of the Network Age?
Brian – YES! Email apnea (which can happen when working at a computer or mobile device, doing email, SMS or any range of activities) can also occur in front of a television set. A combination of poor posture (which compromises breathing) and anticipation, accompanied by an inhale, but often without a complete exhale, is the culprit.
I’m not sure there is an “Emily Post” of the Network Age…. Interesting insight!