Punkt. is a reasonably little, dynamic and independent company, and we like to keep close connections with our consumers and with people and organisations within the design 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 difficulties where self-confessed mobile phone addicts are welcomed to review their relationship with technology.
10 years back, smartphones were still really unusual. Now, a life lived outside the structure of the mobile phone is unusual. 10 years ago, the majority of people had smart phones, but 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 so much more automated: the brand-new normal is to scurry around within a ceaseless attack of status updates, push alerts and an entire lot more.
Our Digital Detox Challenges have actually been running considering that 2016. The negative elements of smartphones weren't commonly discussed at that point, but there has actually since been a surge of interest in the topic. Individual reports are a key component of the Detox Challenges; by running the Challenges and publishing these reports we aim to keep the conversation of people's relationship with technology prominent and on-going - both in terms of tech dependency and the value of high-quality style in the genuine (i.e. non-virtual) world.
The big difference this time round was that the term 'smart device dependency' had actually clearly gone into typical parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, however in 2018 individuals were beginning to sound really worried. You can check out the reports below, but here are some excerpts from a few of the many applications we got:
" The continuous scrolling."
" I attempted it with an old traditional phone, it was like going back to an ex - with all the old pros and cons. Who does that?"
" We use our phones a lot - why should not they be beautiful as well as functional?"
" I'm doing my own variation now, but I needed to choose a broke ass burner phone that's 10 years old ...".
" As a UI designer for digital items I've often questioned some of the success requirements utilized in my industry, specifically 'engagement' as a metric for success. Up until that changes, regrettably it's really tough to combat versus 100s of designers who are attempting to hook you into their items. [] There is a specific irony about this as I develop for these items however wish to avoid them. But I believe it's a chance for me as a designer to value how valuable our attention is, and attempt to take that lesson back into my market, ideally to influence a change in approach to innovation.".
" I have begun eliminating all my social media profiles and have actually instantly noticed the positive effect it's had on me. I am a lot calmer now, and I wish to keep it that way, by likewise removing my smartphone for good.".
Life is too brief to keep our heads down.
Technology has actually dramatically altered over the last century, from being a helpful tool in our lives to keeping us as hooked in as much as it can and for the longest period of time. This Challenge modifications that in its whole, pressing us into recognizing what is going on. I've constantly loved utilizing the most recent things, however considering that Punkt. has been around, I desired to change that, and with the Digital Detox Challenge, that's precisely what occurred. When you go from a continuously buzzing smart device to a phone like this, you realize just how much you can compromise all these applications that keep you hooked all day: you do not require them.
In a manner, you do end up being sort of apart socially from your friends-- let's say if they "Snapchat" you or whatnot-- however you begin to realize that it's for the better, and the Punkt. MP01 achieves simply that. It teaches you simplicity and teaches you that you do not need whatever on your phone. Simply the essentials.
If you seem like you are hooked on your phone, like the majority of people I have fulfilled, it could be a good time to give this phone a try. Much of my own relative experience this feeling and I seem like passing this obstacle on to others so they can get the hang of it. This Challenge has ended up being 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 think me? Download QualityTime for your Android and you will understand that you don't even take notice of exactly what's going on around you. If you feel an itch, it might be a great time to obtain that checked out, and an excellent way to tackle it is with the Punkt. MP01.
The more time we invest looking at screens, the less crucial daytime ends up being-- and sometimes, yes, more of an obstacle. Whether you're inspecting your messages while strolling to work, enjoying your mobile phone with your pals (who are each enjoying theirs), or enjoying a movie, daylight is a hassle.
We started heading in this manner since we wanted to. Nowadays-- to a large degree-- we just do it because we do it. And since others want us to do it.
Is this truly how you wish to spend your time in the world?
* * *.
In 2016, Google worker Tristan Harris left his job to discovered a brand-new non-profit organisation called Time Well Spent, which looked for to broaden the argument on exactly what technology is doing to us and resulted in the creation of the Center for Humane Technology. Since then, the topic has exploded into the mainstream and it has ended up being clear that it is refraining from doing excellent things to our general sense of well-being.
The home page of the Center's website includes a striking montage image. A generic graphic of a smart device is combined with a photograph of a woman. But 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 delighted, enjoying the view. And she is bathed in sunlight.
Perhaps it makes sense to use these brighter evenings for something besides looking at pixels? And when bedtime methods, matching sundown with a digital sundown: whatever changed off, leaving simply a land-line with a number understood only to household and buddies, and a dedicated alarm clock.
Signing up with those who have dumped their mobile phones completely, integrating a fundamental phone with a laptop or tablet (much much better for typing on). Nowadays these ideas might sound almost extreme, but as far as biology is worried, they're what your brain desires. The medical side-effects of tech over-use.
Due to the fact that of the apparent decrease in traffic mishaps, Daylight Saving Time is stated to increase life span of a country's people. Ditto banning phone usage while driving, of course (with a much clearer causal link). Phones are harmful in other methods, too: scrollers walking into traffic, selfie trophy-hunters taking one danger too numerous, etc. Over-use of tech diminishes our lives in another way as well-- incrementally and undoubtedly. It offers us a narrower existence where we are less focussed, less rested and hence less awake. Over-use eats our lives, and it's becoming the standard.
Time for a rethink?
Do you discover that wherever you go, you always end up in the exact same location: in front of your smartphone? Using it, or letting it use you, to remain 'linked'? Connected with what individuals depend on back house. Gotten in touch with the current report. Gotten in touch with work. Gotten in touch with video games, YouTube videos, Wikipedia. Linked with images from the last holiday you took, and the one before that. What type of 'connection' is that, truly? This scenario is something that's sneaked up on us, and possibly it's time to start making some choices ...
A holiday is a possibility to turn off, to experience brand-new things. If we don't also switch off our devices, if we continue to outsource our consciousness to image sensors and memory cards, 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 vacation tax. Part of the experience is deducted-- and not to assist the local economy, however to assist line the pockets of shareholders of social networks business.
Imagine a traditional travelogue like Jack Kerouac's On the Road, minus this tax. There would not be much left. As well as if we're trying to find something a bit less extreme for our fortnight away, the principle still uses. Whether it's a case of pings on the beach, or livestreaming from the Louvre, something's gotten but something's lost. And on the topic of getting lost, yes, without a smart device it could happen. And maybe you'll wind up somewhere that turns out to be the emphasize of your journey. Perhaps you'll discover some intriguing restaurant that isn't really on tripadvisor.com. You might end up talking with some residents. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This connect the growing slow travelmovement, and the reclaiming of overland travel as a mainstream and reasonable option to flying, demonstrated by the underground success of The Man in Seat Sixty-One. It's all about existing.
If we do decide to have a holiday that doesn't revolve around processing big data, there are a few options. We can go to the other extreme, and leave house without any type of phone or tablet. (That never ever used to be read more a severe, but we reside in extreme 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 different phone. One that only does calls and texts. And after that immerse ourselves in a various culture, have some experiences, or simply enjoy a bit of solitude.
The physical act of swapping phones goes deep. It's a bit like flying the nest. And it's starting to acquire in appeal: whether a cheap, old-tech design or something more trendy and current, picking to often use a simple phone is something that everybody can relate to nowadays. They might refrain from doing it themselves, however they certainly know why some people do.
There are practical benefits, too. Only needing to charge your phone sometimes is popular with everyone but if you're going somewhere without mains electrical energy, your greedy smartphone will be no use at all. Likewise, with a basic phone you don't have to keep inspecting that your digital factotum hasn't cunningly found some way of adding monster-sized data roaming charges-- it can still take place. But it's the 'really existing' that truly counts. Sure, travelling without a smart device will indicate a few mix-ups, a lowered capability to plan, to understand in advance exactly what's going to occur. However travelling sans algorithms is where the action is. And the screens on easy phones are frequently much harder than the big locations of glass found on their more complex cousins. Replacing a damaged smartphone screen is an inconvenience at the finest of times; multiply that by ten if you're abroad.
But it's the 'really being there' that actually counts. Sure, taking a trip without a smart device will suggest a couple of mix-ups, a lowered ability to strategy, to understand beforehand what's going to occur. However travelling sans algorithms is where the action is.
SMS 03 - Punkt. MP02 from Punkt. on Vimeo.