Digital Detox Challenge



Punkt. is a relatively little, vibrant and independent business, and we want to keep close connections with our customers and with individuals and organisations within the design world. As part of this, we frequently run 'Punkt.Challenges'. These consist of design obstacles that form part of postgraduate design courses, and digital detox obstacles where self-confessed smart device addicts are invited to revisit their relationship with innovation.
10 years ago, smart devices were still really unusual. Now, a life lived outside the structure of the smart device is unusual. 10 years ago, the majority of people had cellphones, but they would generally just attract our attention if another human being had actually decided to call us or send us a text. Now that many people's lives are a lot more automated: the brand-new normal is to scoot around within a continuous assault of status updates, push notifications and a great deal more.
Our Digital Detox Challenges have been running because 2016. The unfavorable aspects of mobile phones weren't widely talked about at that point, however there has actually because been a rise of interest in the subject. Individual reports are a crucial element of the Detox Challenges; by running the Challenges and releasing these reports we intend to keep the conversation of people's relationship with technology popular and on-going - both in regards to tech dependency and the value of premium style in the genuine (i.e. non-virtual) world.

The huge difference this time round was that the term 'mobile phone addiction' had actually plainly gone into typical parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, however in 2018 individuals were beginning to sound truly fretted. You can read the reports below, but here are some excerpts from a few of the numerous applications we got:
" The consistent scrolling."
" I attempted it with an old classic phone, it resembled going back to an ex - with all the old pros and cons. Who does that?"
" We utilize our phones a lot - why should not they be lovely as well as practical?"
" I'm doing my own version now, but I needed to choose a broke ass burner phone that's 10 years old ...".
" As a UI designer for digital products I've typically questioned some of the success criteria utilized in my industry, particularly 'engagement' as a metric for success. Until that changes, sadly it's really tough to eliminate against 100s of designers who are attempting to hook you in to their products. [] There is a particular irony about this as I create for these products but wish to get away from them. However I believe it's an opportunity for me as a designer to appreciate how important our attention is, and attempt to take that lesson back into my industry, ideally to influence a modification in approach to technology.".
" I have started eliminating all my social networks profiles and have actually immediately noticed the positive impact it's had on me. I am so much calmer now, and I wish to keep it that way, by also removing my smart device for great.".

Life is too short to keep our heads down.
Technology has considerably altered over the last century, from being a handy tool in our lives to keeping us as connected in as much as it can and for the longest time period. This Challenge modifications that in its whole, pushing us into realizing what is going on. I've constantly liked utilizing the latest things, however considering that Punkt. has been around, I wished to alter that, and with the Digital Detox Challenge, that's exactly what took place. When you go from a constantly ringing smart device to a phone like this, you realize what does it cost? you can sacrifice all these applications that keep you hooked all day long: you do not need them.
In a manner, you do become kind of separated socially from your friends-- let's state if they "Snapchat" you or whatnot-- but you start to understand that it's for the better, and the Punkt. MP01 accomplishes simply that. It teaches you simplicity and teaches you that you don't require everything on your phone. Just the essentials.
If you feel like you are hooked on your phone, like most individuals I have satisfied, it might be a good time to provide this phone a try. A number of my own member of the family experience this feeling and I seem like passing this obstacle on to others so they can get the hang of it. This Challenge has become so essential in 2018 because-- as I said-- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. are here to keep us hooked in for the longest time. Don't believe me? Download QualityTime for your Android and you will understand that you do not even focus on what's going on around you. If you feel an itch, it might be an excellent time to get that had a look at, and a great way to set about it is with the Punkt. MP01.

The more time we spend looking at screens, the less important daytime becomes-- and sometimes, yes, more of a hindrance. Whether you're checking your messages while strolling to work, enjoying your smart device with your pals (who are each taking pleasure in theirs), or enjoying a movie, daylight is a hassle.
We began heading by doing this since we wanted to. Nowadays-- to a big extent-- we just do it because we do it. And because others want us to do it.
Is this really how you desire to invest your time on Earth?
* * *.
In 2016, Google employee Tristan Harris left his job to discovered a new non-profit organisation called Time Well Spent, which sought to broaden the dispute on exactly what technology is doing to us and resulted in the development of the Center for Humane Technology. Considering that then, the topic has actually blown up into the mainstream and it has actually ended up being clear that it is refraining from doing good ideas to our basic sense of wellness.
The web page of the Center's site features a striking montage image. A generic graphic of a mobile phone is integrated with a photo of a lady. However she is not provided as being on the screen. She is in fact looking out from the phone, leaning with her arms folded on the bottom edge of the screen as though it were a windowsill. She appears happy, taking pleasure in the view. And she is bathed in sunlight.
Perhaps it makes good sense to use these brighter evenings for something other than looking at pixels? When bedtime techniques, matching sundown with a digital sunset: whatever turned off, leaving just a land-line with a number known only to family and close pals, and a devoted alarm clock.
Joining those who have dumped their smart devices completely, integrating a basic phone with a laptop computer or tablet (much better for typing on). Nowadays these ideas may sound almost extreme, however as far as biology is concerned, they're what your brain desires. The medical side-effects of tech over-use.
Since of the evident reduction in traffic mishaps, Daylight Saving Time is said to increase life span of a nation's people. Ditto prohibiting phone use while driving, naturally (with a much clearer causal link). Phones threaten in other methods, too: scrollers walking into traffic, selfie trophy-hunters taking one risk too many, etc. Over-use of tech shrinks our lives in another method as well-- incrementally and inevitably. It offers us a narrower existence where we are less focussed, less rested and therefore less awake. Over-use consumes our lives, and it's becoming the norm.
Time for a rethink?

Do you discover that wherever you go, you always wind up in the same place: in front of your smartphone? Using it, or letting it utilize you, to stay 'linked'? Connected with exactly what individuals are up to back home. Gotten in touch with the current news reports. Connected with work. Gotten in touch with video games, YouTube videos, Wikipedia. Gotten in touch with photos from the last holiday you took, and the one before that. What type of 'connection' is that, actually? This situation is something that's approached on us, and perhaps it's time to start making some choices ...

A vacation is a chance to switch off, to experience new things. However if we do not likewise change off our gadgets, if we continue to outsource our awareness to image sensing units and sd card, if we're still attached to what we were doing before we left and what we'll be doing when we get back, it's as if we're paying a kind of holiday tax. Part of the experience is deducted-- and not to assist the regional economy, however to assist line the pockets of investors of social networks business.
Envision a traditional travelogue like Jack Kerouac's On the Road, minus this tax. There wouldn't be much left. As well as if we're searching for something a bit less intense for our fortnight away, the concept still applies. Whether it's a case of pings on the beach, or livestreaming from the Louvre, something's gotten however something's lost. And on the topic of getting lost, yes, without a smart device it could take place. And maybe you'll end up somewhere that turns out to be the emphasize of your trip. Maybe you'll discover some intriguing restaurant that isn't on tripadvisor.com. You may end up speaking to some locals. Nothing ventured, nothing got. This ties in with the growing slow travelmovement, and the recovering of overland travel as a mainstream and realistic option to flying, shown by the underground success of The Man in Seat Sixty-One. It's everything about being there.
If we do decide to have a vacation that does not focus on processing big information, there are a couple of options. We can go to the other severe, here and leave house with no sort of phone or tablet. (That never ever utilized to be a severe, however we reside in severe times.) And we have options like changing our gadget's settings to 'minimum', leaving it in the hotel safe throughout the day, and so on

. Or we can take a various phone. One that just does calls and texts. Then immerse ourselves in a various culture, have some experiences, or just delight in a little bit of solitude.
The physical act of swapping phones goes deep. It's a bit like flying the nest. And it's starting to gain in popularity: whether a low-cost, old-tech design or something more trendy and up-to-date, choosing to often use an easy phone is something that everyone can connect to nowadays. They may refrain from doing it themselves, but they definitely understand why some individuals do.
There are practical benefits, too. Only having to charge your phone periodically is popular with everyone but if you're going someplace without mains electricity, your greedy smart device will be no use at all. With an easy phone you do not need to keep inspecting that your digital factotum hasn't cunningly found some way of running up monster-sized information roaming charges-- it can still take place. It's the 'really being there' that actually counts. Sure, travelling without a smart device will imply a few mix-ups, a lowered ability to plan, to know ahead of time what's going to occur. Travelling sans algorithms is where the action is. And the screens on easy phones are frequently much harder than the large areas of glass discovered on their more complicated cousins. Replacing a damaged smartphone screen is an inconvenience at the finest of times; increase that by ten if you're abroad.
But it's the 'actually existing' that actually counts. Sure, taking a trip without a smart device will indicate a few mix-ups, a reduced capability to plan, to understand beforehand exactly what's going to occur. But taking a trip sans algorithms is where the action is.

SMS 03 - Punkt. MP02 from Punkt. on Vimeo.

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