Punkt. is a relatively small, vibrant and independent business, and we like to maintain close connections with our clients and with individuals and organisations within the design world. As part of this, we frequently run 'Punkt.Challenges'. These consist of style obstacles that form part of postgraduate style courses, and digital detox difficulties where self-confessed mobile phone addicts are welcomed to revisit their relationship with technology.
10 years back, mobile phones were still extremely unusual. Now, a life lived outside the framework of the smartphone is unusual. 10 years back, the majority of people had mobile phones, however they would usually just attract our attention if another human had decided to call us or send us a text. Now that many people's lives are so much more automated: the new normal is to scoot around within a continuous assault of status updates, push notifications and an entire lot more.
Our Digital Detox Challenges have actually been running considering that 2016. The negative elements of mobile phones weren't commonly discussed at that point, however there has since been a rise of interest in the subject. Individual reports are a crucial element of the Detox Challenges; by running the Challenges and publishing these reports we intend to keep the discussion of individuals's relationship with technology popular and on-going - both in terms of tech dependency and the significance of premium design in the genuine (i.e. non-virtual) world.
The big distinction this time round was that the term 'mobile phone dependency' had plainly entered common parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, however in 2018 people were beginning to sound genuinely fretted. You can check out the reports below, but here are some excerpts from a few of the numerous applications we received:
" The continuous scrolling."
" I attempted it with an old classic phone, it was like returning 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 in addition to 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 frequently questioned a few of the success requirements used in my industry, specifically 'engagement' as a metric for success. Till that modifications, unfortunately it's extremely tough to eliminate against 100s of designers who are trying to hook you into their items. [] There is a certain irony about this as I design for these products but desire to avoid them. However I think it's an opportunity for me as a designer to appreciate how valuable our attention is, and try to take that lesson back into my industry, hopefully to influence a change in method to technology.".
" I have started eliminating all my social networks profiles and have instantly discovered the positive effect it's had on me. I am so much calmer now, and I 'd like to keep it that method, by likewise removing my mobile phone for great.".
Life is too short to keep our heads down.
Technology has significantly changed over the last century, from being a valuable tool in our lives to keeping us as hooked in as much as it can and for the longest amount of time. This Challenge modifications that in its totality, pressing us into recognizing what is going on. I've constantly enjoyed using the newest things, however considering that Punkt. has been around, I wanted to change that, and with the Digital Detox Challenge, that's precisely what occurred. When you go from a constantly ringing 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 do not need them.
In a method, you do become kind of apart socially from your buddies-- let's state if they "Snapchat" you or whatnot-- but you begin to recognize that it's for the better, and the Punkt. MP01 achieves just that. It teaches you simplicity and teaches you that you don't 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 satisfied, it might be a great time to give this phone a shot. Many of my own relative experience this sensation and I feel like passing this obstacle on to others so they can get the hang of it. This Challenge has actually become so essential in 2018 because-- as I stated-- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. are here to keep us hooked in for the longest time. Do not think me? Download QualityTime for your Android and you will realize that you don't even take notice of what's going on around you. If you feel an itch, it might be a great time to get that took a look at, and an excellent way to tackle it is with the Punkt. MP01.
The more time we invest taking a look at screens, the lesser daylight ends up being-- and often, yes, more of a limitation. Whether you're examining your messages while strolling to work, enjoying your smartphone with your friends (who are each taking pleasure in theirs), or watching a film, daylight is an inconvenience.
We started heading in this manner due to the fact that we wished to. Nowadays-- to a big extent-- we simply do it because we do it. And because others want us to do it.
Is this truly how you want to spend your time on Earth?
* * *.
In 2016, Google worker 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 topic has taken off into the mainstream and it has actually ended up being clear that it is refraining from doing good ideas to our general sense of wellness.
The web page of the Center's site features a striking montage image. A generic graphic of a smart device is integrated with a photo of a lady. 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 pleased, delighting in the view. And she is bathed in sunlight.
Maybe it makes good sense to use these brighter evenings for something other than taking a look at pixels? When bedtime methods, matching sundown with a digital sunset: whatever switched 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 ditched their smart devices entirely, integrating a fundamental phone with a laptop or tablet (much much better for typing on). Nowadays these ideas might sound practically extreme, however as far as biology is concerned, they're exactly what your brain desires. The medical side-effects of tech over-use.
Because of the obvious reduction in traffic mishaps, Daylight Saving Time is said to increase life span of a nation's residents. Ditto prohibiting phone use while driving, naturally (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, etc. Over-use of tech shrinks our lives in another method as well-- incrementally and inevitably. It provides us a narrower presence in which 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 find that anywhere you go, you constantly wind up in the exact same location: in front of your smartphone? Utilizing it, or letting it utilize you, to remain 'connected'? Gotten in touch with exactly what people are up to back house. Connected with the latest news reports. Connected with work. Gotten in touch with video 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 crept up on us, and perhaps it's time to start making some decisions ...
A holiday is a chance to change off, to experience brand-new things. However if we don't also turn off our devices, if we continue to outsource our consciousness to image sensors and sd card, if we're still connected to exactly what we were doing prior to we left and exactly what we'll be doing when we get back, it's as if we're paying a type of holiday tax. Part of the experience is subtracted-- and not to help the regional economy, however to assist line the pockets of investors of social networks business.
Think of a classic travelogue like Jack Kerouac's On the Road, minus this tax. There would not be much left. And even if we're searching for something a bit less intense for our fortnight away, the principle 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 topic of getting lost, yes, without a smart device it might take place. And perhaps you'll end up somewhere that turns out to be the highlight of your journey. Maybe you'll find some interesting restaurant that isn't on tripadvisor.com. You may wind up speaking to some locals. Nothing ventured, absolutely nothing got. This connect the growing slow travelmovement, and the reclaiming of overland travel as a mainstream and reasonable alternative to flying, shown by the underground success of The Man in Seat Sixty-One. It's all about being there.
If we do choose to have a holiday that doesn't focus on processing big data, there are a couple of alternatives. We can go to the other extreme, and leave house without any sort of phone or tablet. (That never ever utilized to be an extreme, however we live in severe times.) And we have alternatives like changing our gadget's settings to 'minimum', leaving it in the hotel safe during the day, and so on
. Or we can take a various phone. One that only does calls and texts. And then immerse ourselves in a various culture, have some experiences, or just delight in a bit of solitude.
The physical act of swapping 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 trendy and current, deciding to sometimes use a basic phone is something that everyone can connect to nowadays. They may refrain from doing it themselves, but they definitely know why some individuals do.
There are useful benefits, too. Just needing to charge your phone sometimes is popular with everybody but if you're going someplace without mains electricity, your greedy mobile phone will be no use at all. With a basic phone you don't need to keep examining that your digital factotum hasn't cunningly found some way of running up monster-sized data roaming charges-- it can still take place. It's the 'in fact being there' that really counts. Sure, travelling without a mobile phone will suggest a few mix-ups, a minimized ability to strategy, to know beforehand exactly what's going to occur. Travelling sans algorithms is where the action is. And the screens on simple phones are frequently much tougher than the big locations of glass discovered on their more complex cousins. Changing a damaged smart device browse this site screen is an inconvenience at the finest of times; increase that by 10 if you're abroad.
It's the 'in fact being there' that actually counts. Sure, taking a trip without a smartphone will mean a few mix-ups, a decreased ability to plan, to know in advance exactly what's going to take place. However taking a trip sans algorithms is where the action is.
SMS 03 - Punkt. MP02 from Punkt. on Vimeo.