WebWorkerDaily wrote a post today, “Could You Survive Without Your Computer for One Day?” asking if it would be possible to live one day unplugged from society. As Shutdown Day approaches (May 3rd, 2008), more and more blogs will be talking about shutting down.
As someone who practices this “experiment” every week, as an observant Jew who keeps the Sabbath, I say YES, I can survive! It is actually really wonderful being unreachable for 25 hours ever week. My batteries (my body and my devices) get a chance to recharge for the upcoming week, while my mind gets a chance to relax. My eyes don’t spend hours scanning a screen and my fingers don’t type away in a never-ending stream of connectivity.
Typically, on every other day, I can be reached by email, Facebook message, LinkedIn message, twitter, IM, Gtalk, Skype, cell phone (best), office line, VOIP home line and old school snail mail. The Sabbath allows us to take the 30,000 foot snapshot of our lives every week and refocus. My Gen-Y, startup, technocratic, web 2.0 life is ridiculously connected. I am addicted to the internet. I thank G-d that He gave us a built-in day off.
Can you power down once a week? Are you uber-connected and need help?
