{"id":30477,"date":"2019-11-19T16:26:09","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T00:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pocketwisdominsights.com\/pwicolab\/?p=30477"},"modified":"2020-01-03T21:34:05","modified_gmt":"2020-01-04T05:34:05","slug":"ditch-the-smartphone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pocketwisdominsights.com\/pwicolab\/technology\/technology-co-lab\/technology-co-lab-blogs\/third-party\/ditch-the-smartphone\/","title":{"rendered":"Ditch the Smartphone"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Opening Insights: A Brain Prosthetic<\/h2>\n

The dirty little secret that nobody likes to talk about<\/em>
is that things just might have been better before the Internet.<\/em>
We had more time to ourselves before cell phones and text messaging<\/em>
and Facebook consumed our lives.<\/em>
TOM GREEN <\/p>\n

The smartphone is a revolutionary lifestyle companion<\/em> that has unlocked the power of personal computing and the internet in the palm of your hand. It goes anywhere you go. It can send text messages and function as a camera, a GPS navigation unit, an alarm clock, a controller for your drone<\/em>, a video game platform, a movie-player, a phone book, a digital wallet and as endless other functions.<\/p>\n

They can even make plain old phone calls<\/em>, to other phones.<\/p>\n

Most smartphones can be configured as a voice-activated digital assistant, taking down your appointments and reminding you of important dates, including your anniversary. It is the principle portal into social media for most users and the principle means by which we remain connected to our fellow humans.<\/p>\n

That all sounds really good, right? How wonderful it is, this thing called a smartphone. How did we ever manage to live without them? <\/p>\n

Well, it turns out that we did just fine before the smartphone. In fact, many behavioral researchers are beginning to see that we were better off before. The article that follows presents the question, do we need to change how we interact with our smartphones?<\/em><\/p>\n

Informational Insights: A Bold Experiment<\/h2>\n

The following article was published by CBS New York, a CBS Broadcasting local news station out of New York. It was transcripted from a report by Carolyn Gusoff, on-air reporter for WCBS-TV and New York Times best-selling author.<\/p>\n

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GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) \u2013<\/strong> They survived!<\/p>\n

Nearly two dozen Adelphi University students made it a full week without their cell phones!<\/p>\n

As CBS2 first told you last week, it was part of a college course intended to break the powerful addiction of smartphones.<\/p>\n

CBS2\u2019s Carolyn Gusoff went back on Thursday as students were reunited with their beloved mobile devices.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s old school in Jacob Dannenberg\u2019s dorm room \u2013 with an alarm clock to wake him.<\/p>\n

Handwritten notes remind him an actual wristwatch to keep track of time.<\/p>\n

No it wasn\u2019t 1999, it was an Adelphi University course called \u201cLife Unplugged.\u201d where students did the unthinkable one week ago \u2013 handed over their smartphones.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m freaking out, I could probably cry right now,\u201d one student said.<\/p>\n

It was a bold experiment to recognize today\u2019s compulsive relationships with ever present devices.<\/p>\n

Seven days later, \u201cwho\u2019s excited they\u2019re getting their phones back today?\u201d Professor Donna Freitas asked.<\/p>\n

Gone were the nerves and the shakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is perfect right now. I\u2019m having a lot better relationships\u2026 it\u2019s a stress free environment no pressure about social media,\u201d Jacob Dannenberg said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s really refreshing and relaxing\u2026 I was able to fall asleep a lot easier,\u201d student Adrianna Cigliano.<\/p>\n

They managed to find their way, even without GPS for a week.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just had to take the same route everywhere,\u201d one student joked.<\/p>\n

They were also more productive.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoing homework was 100 percent easier. I got it done faster, I was in the zone,\u201d Cigliano said.<\/p>\n

Prof. Freitas says it\u2019s important for everyone to assess their addiction.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre the conveniences worth it because the drawback are pretty significant,\u201d Freitas said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that no one can focus, that my students can\u2019t sleep\u2026 They feel bad about themselves because of social media, the list goes on and on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sweet reunions went sour quickly as endless notifications piled up.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my God this is so bad!\u2026 I just want to shut it off now!\u201d the Adelphi class said.<\/p>\n

Students say they\u2019re not quite breaking up with their phones, but promise the relationship will change.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to keep that balance and figure out the healthy relationship that we deserve to have with our phones,\u201d Cigliano added.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy screen time is definitely going to go down and I\u2019m going start to appreciate my surroundings more because usually I\u2019m looking at my screen all the time,\u201d Ashley Castillero said.<\/p>\n

Students told CBS2 they look forward to living more in the moment, with their heads up more often, notifications off, and the \u201cdo not disturb\u201d on.<\/p>\n

Students were allowed to use a desktop computer or laptop during the experiment. They also made emergency communication plans with family. <\/p>\n

https:\/\/newyork.cbslocal.com\/2019\/11\/14\/students-ditch-phone-changed-lives\/<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This article originally appeared in CBS NEW YORK: \u2018It\u2019s Really Refreshing And Relaxing\u2019: College Students Say Ditching Their Smartphones For A Week Changed Their Lives<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Possibilities of Consideration: Unplug to Live in the World<\/h2>\n

Before smartphones, WE were smarter. We didn't need a brain prosthetic to perform everyday tasks. Before smartphones people could remember things, like addresses, birthdays and phone numbers. They could remember to call their parents once in a while. They could unplug <\/em>and enjoy the act of existing, rather than being constantly carried away by their device. <\/p>\n

As it's such an incredible tools, perhaps the direction of our use of the smartphone should be one of Self-Authority, Self-Responsibility and Self-Accountability. Rather than bending to the will of those who design programs and features for your digital lifestyle companion<\/em> make the decisions to take charge of your own existence. You may find that you've left the real world behind, and rather than occasionally visiting, it would be nice to live there.<\/p>\n

However, the question remains, could we put it down if we wanted to? For many, the answer could be very frightening. As it is with any other addiction, select cases of smartphone usage must be met with understanding, care and the proper learning program. Technology isn't going anywhere. It is people who must learn to responsibly coexist with it.<\/p>\n

Add Your Insight<\/h2>\n

Take a moment and examine\u2026<\/p>\n