Punkt. is a reasonably little, vibrant and independent business, and we prefer to preserve close connections with our clients and with individuals and organisations within the design world. As part of this, we routinely run 'Punkt.Challenges'. These include style challenges that form part of postgraduate design courses, and digital detox obstacles where self-confessed mobile phone addicts are invited to revisit their relationship with innovation.
10 years back, mobile phones were still extremely unusual. Now, a life lived outside the structure of the mobile phone is uncommon. 10 years ago, most individuals had smart phones, however they would normally only attract our attention if another person had chosen to call us or send us a text. Now that the majority of people's lives are a lot more automated: the new regular is to scoot around within a nonstop attack of status updates, push notices and an entire lot more.
Our Digital Detox Challenges have been running since 2016. The unfavorable aspects of smart devices weren't commonly gone over at that point, but there has actually because been a rise of interest in the subject. Participant reports are a crucial aspect of the Detox Challenges; by running the Challenges and releasing these reports we aim to keep the discussion of individuals's relationship with technology prominent and on-going - both in regards to tech addiction and the significance of premium style in the genuine (i.e. non-virtual) world.
The big difference this time round was that the term 'smart device addiction' had plainly entered common parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, however in 2018 people were beginning to sound really stressed. You can check out the reports below, but here are some excerpts from a few of the numerous applications we got:
" The constant scrolling."
" I tried it with an old traditional phone, it resembled returning to an ex - with all the old pros and cons. Who does that?"
" We utilize our phones a lot - why should not they be beautiful in addition to functional?"
" I'm doing my own variation now, however I needed to choose a broke ass burner phone that's 10 years old ...".
" As a UI designer for digital products I've often questioned some of the success criteria used in my market, particularly 'engagement' as a metric for success. Until that changes, sadly it's very challenging to eliminate against 100s of designers who are trying to hook you into their items. [] There is a particular paradox about this as I create for these items however desire to avoid them. I believe it's a chance for me as a designer to value how important our attention is, and try to take that lesson back into my industry, hopefully to affect a modification in method to technology.".
" I have started eliminating all my social networks profiles and have actually right away observed the positive effect it's had on me. I am so much calmer now, and I 'd like to keep it that way, by likewise removing my smart device for good.".
Life is too short to keep our heads down.
Innovation has dramatically changed over the last century, from being a practical tool in our lives to keeping us as connected in as much as it can and for the longest time period. This Challenge changes that in its totality, pressing us into recognizing what is going on. I've always loved utilizing the most recent things, but since Punkt. has been around, I wanted to alter that, and with the Digital Detox Challenge, that's exactly what took place. When you go from a continuously buzzing smart device to a phone like this, you recognize what does it cost? you can compromise all these applications that keep you hooked all day long: you do not need them.
In such a way, you do become sort of separated socially from your friends-- let's say if they "Snapchat" you or whatnot-- however you start to realize that it's for the better, and the Punkt. MP01 achieves just that. It teaches you simpleness and teaches you that you don't require everything on your phone. Simply the essentials.
If you seem like you are hooked on your phone, like many people I have satisfied, it could be an excellent time to offer this phone a shot. Much of my own relative experience this feeling and I feel like passing this obstacle on to others so they can get the hang of it. This Challenge has actually ended up being so important in 2018 because-- as I stated-- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and so on 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 don't even focus on exactly what's going on around you. If you feel an itch, it might be a great time to obtain that took a look at, and a great way to tackle it is with the Punkt. MP01.
The more time we spend looking at screens, the lesser daytime becomes-- and often, yes, more of a limitation. Whether you're checking your messages while walking to work, enjoying your smartphone with your buddies (who are each delighting in theirs), or seeing a movie, daytime is a hassle.
We started heading in this manner since we wished to. Nowadays-- to a large degree-- we just do it due to the fact that we do it. And due to the fact that others desire us to do it.
Is this truly how you desire to invest your time on Earth?
* * *.
In 2016, Google employee Tristan Harris left his job to found a new non-profit organisation called Time Well Spent, which sought to expand the debate on exactly what innovation is doing to us and caused the production of the Center for Humane Technology. Ever since, the subject has actually taken off into the mainstream and it has actually become clear that it is not doing good things to our basic sense of wellness.
The web page of the Center's site includes a striking montage image. A generic graphic of a smartphone is combined with a photograph of a woman. 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 seems delighted, taking pleasure in the view. And she is bathed in sunlight.
Maybe it makes sense to utilize these brighter evenings for something aside from taking a look at pixels? And when bedtime approaches, matching sundown with a digital sundown: everything turned off, leaving just a land-line with a number understood only to household and close pals, and a dedicated alarm clock.
Signing up with those who have ditched their mobile phones entirely, integrating a fundamental phone with a laptop computer or tablet (much much better for typing on). Nowadays these concepts might sound practically radical, however as far as biology is concerned, they're what your brain desires. Thus the medical side-effects of tech over-use.
Since of the apparent decrease in traffic mishaps, Daylight Saving Time is stated to increase life span of a country's citizens. Ditto prohibiting phone use while driving, of course (with a much clearer causal link). Phones are hazardous in other ways, too: scrollers strolling into traffic, selfie trophy-hunters taking one threat too many, etc. Over-use of tech diminishes our lives in another way as well-- incrementally and inevitably. It provides us a narrower presence where we are less focussed, less rested and therefore less awake. Over-use consumes our lives, and it's ending up being the norm.
Time for a rethink?
Do you find that anywhere you go, you constantly wind up in the exact same location: in front of your smartphone? Using it, or letting it digital detox challenge utilize you, to stay 'connected'? Linked with exactly what people are up to back home. Gotten in touch with the current news reports. Linked with work. Linked with games, YouTube videos, Wikipedia. Connected with pictures from the last holiday you took, and the one before that. What type of 'connection' is that, really? This scenario is something that's approached on us, and possibly it's time to start making some choices ...
A holiday is an opportunity to switch off, to experience new things. However if we don't likewise turn off our gadgets, if we continue to outsource our consciousness to image sensing units and memory cards, if we're still connected to exactly what we were doing before we left and exactly what we'll be doing when we return, it's as if we're paying a sort of holiday tax. Part of the experience is deducted-- and not to help the local economy, however to assist line the pockets of investors of social networks companies.
Envision a traditional travelogue like Jack Kerouac's On the Road, minus this tax. There would not be much. As well as if we're looking for something a bit less extreme 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 but something's lost. And on the subject of getting lost, yes, without a mobile phone it might happen. And possibly you'll end up somewhere that ends up being the highlight of your trip. Maybe you'll find some interesting dining establishment that isn't really on tripadvisor.com. You may end up talking to some residents. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This connect the growing slow travelmovement, and the recovering of overland travel as a mainstream and reasonable alternative to flying, demonstrated by the underground success of The Man in Seat Sixty-One. It's all about being there.
If we do choose to have a vacation that doesn't focus on processing big information, there are a few alternatives. We can go to the other extreme, and leave house with no sort of phone or tablet. (That never utilized to be an extreme, however we reside in severe times.) And we have options like altering our device'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 only does calls and texts. Then immerse ourselves in a various culture, have some experiences, or just enjoy a bit of peace and peaceful.
The physical act of switching phones goes deep. It's a bit like flying the nest. And it's beginning to acquire in appeal: whether an inexpensive, old-tech design or something more stylish and up-to-date, deciding to sometimes use a simple phone is something that everybody can connect to nowadays. They might refrain from doing it themselves, however they certainly understand why some people do.
There are useful benefits, too. Just needing to charge your phone sometimes is popular with everybody however if you're going someplace without mains electrical energy, your greedy smart device will be no use at all. Likewise, with a basic phone you don't need to keep checking that your digital factotum hasn't cunningly discovered some method of running up monster-sized information roaming charges-- it can still take place. But it's the 'really being there' that truly counts. Sure, travelling without a mobile phone will imply a couple of mix-ups, a decreased capability to strategy, to understand in advance what's going to take place. But taking a trip sans algorithms is where the action is. And the screens on easy phones are typically much tougher than the large areas of glass discovered on their more complex cousins. Replacing a broken smartphone screen is a hassle at the very best of times; multiply that by 10 if you're abroad.
But it's the 'actually being there' that actually counts. Sure, travelling without a smart device will indicate a few mix-ups, a decreased ability to strategy, to know in advance exactly what's going to happen. Travelling sans algorithms is where the action is.
SMS 03 - Punkt. MP02 from Punkt. on Vimeo.