After the challenge

I didn't think the tech-free challenge was too hard. It was actually easier than I expected it to be. I wish I had planned more things to do during the day, though. It would be a lot different if it went on for a week or month, though, because using the computer, listening to my iPod, etc., are things I do all the time. Having to do this on days that aren't on the weekend would be different too, since I like to listen to my iPod while waiting for a ride, or during ASC. I learned from the tech-free challenge that technology is a big part of my life, and that I depend on it for entertainment as well as for other things. Not having modern technologies like computers would change my life in many ways.

During the challenge

The main thing I noticed is that my attention span is rather short, and this was probably caused by the wealth of information provided to us by the internet. I find it hard in general to concentrate on something like a movie or a book for hours at a time. With the internet, I can have 10 Firefox tabs open, with news, forum threads, Wikipedia articles, eBooks, and chatrooms. When a chatroom slows down, I switch to a new tab and do something else. During the tech-free challenge, I obviously wasn't able to browse the internet, so it was weird having to put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak, entertainment-wise. I spent the day reading books, playing (retro) video games, and playing and listening to music. The day seemed to stretch on longer than a day fortified with technology, since I was less enveloped in the virtual world, and more conscious of what was going on around me.

Tech-free Challenge

I am accepting the tech-free challenge at level 1, for 24 hours. This means that I will be giving up the internet, cell phones, mp3 players, DVR, and newer console games. I anticipate it being different than a usual day in my life, but it shouldn't be difficult. I hope to learn more about the relationship between myself and technology.