Punkt. is a reasonably small, vibrant and independent business, and we like to maintain close connections with our customers and with people and organisations within the style world. As part of this, we regularly run 'Punkt.Challenges'. These consist of design challenges that form part of postgraduate style courses, and digital detox obstacles where self-confessed smart device addicts are invited to revisit their relationship with technology.
Ten years ago, mobile phones were still very uncommon. Now, a life lived outside the framework of the smartphone is uncommon. 10 years back, many people had smart phones, but they would generally just attract our attention if another human had decided to call us or send us a text. Now that the majority of people's lives are so much more automated: the new typical is to scurry around within a nonstop attack of status updates, push notifications and a great deal more.
Our Digital Detox Challenges have been running since 2016. The negative aspects of smart devices weren't widely talked about at that point, but there has actually given that been a rise of interest in the topic. Individual reports are a key aspect of the Detox Challenges; by running the Challenges and publishing these reports we aim to keep the conversation of individuals's relationship with innovation popular and on-going - both in regards to tech addiction and the importance of high-quality design in the genuine (i.e. non-virtual) world.
The huge difference this time round was that the term 'smart device dependency' had actually plainly gotten in typical parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, however in 2018 people were beginning to sound really worried. You can read the reports listed below, but here are some excerpts from a few of the many applications we got:
" The consistent scrolling."
" I attempted it with an old timeless phone, it was like going back to an ex - with all the old pros and cons. Who does that?"
" We utilize our phones a lot - why shouldn't they be beautiful along with practical?"
" I'm doing my own version now, but I had 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 used in my industry, specifically 'engagement' as a metric for success. Till that changes, sadly it's really hard to eliminate versus 100s of designers who are trying to hook you in to their items. [] There is a certain irony about this as I develop for these items however wish to escape them. However I believe it's a chance for me as a designer to appreciate how valuable our attention is, and attempt to take that lesson back into my market, hopefully to affect a modification in approach to technology.".
" I have started eliminating all my social networks profiles and have instantly seen the favorable result it's had on me. I am so much calmer now, and I want to keep it that way, by also eliminating my mobile phone for great.".
Life is too brief to keep our heads down.
Innovation has drastically altered over the last century, from being an useful tool in our lives to keeping us as hooked in as much as it can and for the longest duration of time. This Challenge modifications that in its whole, pushing us into understanding exactly what is going on. I've always liked using the newest things, however considering that Punkt. has been around, I wished to change that, and with the Digital Detox Challenge, that's precisely what occurred. When you go from a constantly buzzing mobile phone to a phone like this, you realize what does it cost? you can compromise all these applications that keep you hooked all day long: you don't require them.
In a manner, you do end up being type of apart socially from your buddies-- let's state if they "Snapchat" you or whatnot-- but you start to recognize that it's for the much better, and the Punkt. MP01 accomplishes simply that. It teaches you simpleness and teaches you that you don't need whatever on your phone. Simply the basics.
If you seem like you are hooked on your phone, like most people I have satisfied, it could be a great time to offer this phone a shot. A number of my own relative experience this sensation and I seem like passing this obstacle on to others so they can master it. This Challenge has actually ended up being so important in 2018 because-- as I said-- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. are here to keep us hooked in for the longest time. Don't think me? Download QualityTime for your Android and you will understand that you do not even take notice of exactly what's going on around you. If you feel an itch, it may be an excellent time to obtain that had a look at, and a great way to tackle it is with the Punkt. MP01.
The more time we invest taking a look at screens, the less crucial daytime ends up being-- and in some cases, yes, more of a limitation. Whether you're inspecting your messages while walking to work, enjoying your smartphone with your good friends (who are each taking pleasure in theirs), or seeing a movie, daylight is a hassle.
We began heading in this manner due to the fact that we wanted to. Nowadays-- to a large level-- we simply do it because we do it. And since others desire us to do it.
Is this truly how you wish to invest your time in the world?
* * *.
In 2016, Google worker Tristan Harris left his task to discovered a new non-profit organisation called Time Well Spent, which sought to broaden the debate on exactly what technology is doing to us and led to the development of the Center for Humane Technology. Ever since, the subject has taken off into the mainstream and it has become clear that it is refraining from doing advantages to our general sense of well-being.
The house page of the Center's site features a striking montage image. A generic graphic of a smart device is combined with a picture of a woman. She is not provided as being on the screen. She remains in reality 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 delighted, enjoying the view. And she is bathed in sunlight.
Maybe it makes sense to use these brighter nights for something aside from taking a look at pixels? When bedtime techniques, matching sundown with a digital sundown: whatever turned off, leaving just a land-line with a number known just to family and friends, and a dedicated alarm clock.
Joining those who have ditched their smartphones totally, integrating a basic phone with a laptop computer or tablet (much better for typing on). Nowadays these concepts may sound almost radical, however as far as biology is concerned, they're exactly what your brain wants. The medical side-effects of tech over-use.
Since of the apparent reduction in traffic accidents, Daylight Saving Time is stated to increase life span of a country's citizens. Ditto prohibiting phone usage while driving, obviously (with a much clearer causal link). Phones are harmful in other methods, too: scrollers strolling into traffic, selfie trophy-hunters taking one danger too many, and so on. However over-use of tech shrinks our lives in another way too-- incrementally and undoubtedly. It offers us a narrower existence in which we are less focussed, less rested and therefore less awake. Over-use eats our lives, and it's becoming the standard.
Time for a rethink?
Do you find that wherever you go, you always end up in the exact same place: in front of your smartphone? Utilizing it, or letting it utilize you, to remain 'linked'? Linked with exactly what people are up to back house. Gotten in touch with the most recent news reports. Connected with work. Gotten in touch with games, YouTube videos, Wikipedia. Linked with photos from the last holiday you took, and the one before that. What kind of 'connection' is that, really? This situation is something that's sneaked up on us, and maybe it's time to begin making some choices ...
A vacation is a possibility to turn off, to experience brand-new things. If we do not also switch off our gadgets, if we continue to outsource our consciousness to image sensing units and memory cards, if we're still attached to exactly what we were doing before we left and exactly what we'll be doing when we get back, it's as if we're paying a kind of vacation tax. Part of the experience is subtracted-- and not to help the local economy, however to assist line the pockets of shareholders of social media companies.
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 trying to find 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 gained however something's lost. And on the subject of getting lost, yes, without a smartphone it could take place. And perhaps you'll wind up somewhere that turns out to be the emphasize of your trip. Possibly you'll find some interesting dining establishment that isn't on tripadvisor.com. You might end up talking to some locals. Nothing ventured, absolutely nothing gained. This ties in with the growing slow travelmovement, and the recovering of overland travel as a mainstream and realistic alternative to flying, demonstrated by the underground success of The Man in Seat Sixty-One. It's all about existing.
If we do choose to have a vacation that doesn't revolve around processing big data, there are a few options. We can go to the other severe, and leave house without any kind of phone or tablet. (That never used to be an extreme, however we live in severe times.) And we have alternatives like altering our gadget's settings to 'minimum', leaving it in the hotel safe throughout the day, etc
. Or we can take a different phone. One that just does calls and texts. Then immerse ourselves in a different culture, have some adventures, or simply take pleasure in a little peace and peaceful.
The physical act of switching phones digital detox meaning goes deep. It's a bit like flying the nest. And it's beginning to acquire in popularity: whether an inexpensive, old-tech model or something more stylish and current, picking to sometimes utilize an easy phone is something that everyone can relate to nowadays. They might not do it themselves, but they definitely know why some people do.
There are practical benefits, too. Only needing to charge your phone sometimes is popular with everybody but if you're going someplace without mains electrical power, your greedy smart device will be no use at all. Likewise, with a simple phone you don't need to keep inspecting that your digital factotum hasn't cunningly discovered some method of adding monster-sized information roaming charges-- it can still take place. It's the 'in fact being there' that really counts. Sure, travelling without a mobile phone will mean a few mix-ups, a reduced ability to strategy, to understand beforehand exactly what's going to take place. Travelling sans algorithms is where the action is. And the screens on easy phones are frequently much harder than the big areas of glass found on their more complex cousins. Changing a broken smartphone screen is an inconvenience at the very best of times; multiply that by ten if you're abroad.
However it's the 'really being there' that actually counts. Sure, taking a trip without a mobile phone will imply a few mix-ups, a reduced capability to strategy, to understand in advance what's going to take place. Travelling sans algorithms is where the action is.
SMS 03 - Punkt. MP02 from Punkt. on Vimeo.