Digital detox | Digital vocabulary (2024)

Digital detox— isaconscious temporary abstention from using the electronic devices, such assmartphones, tablets and computers torelax, socialize orwork.

The “Digital detox” concept appeared inthe Oxford Dictionary comparatively recently, still has already gained enough followers all over the world. Digital detox isaconscious temporary abstention from using the electronic devices, such assmartphones, tablets and acomputers tode-stress, socialize, create, and nomatter how strange itsounds, towork. One ofthe examples ofdigital detoxication isavacation inthe hotel which doesn’t have Internet ordeliberate disconnection from the Net inacity for several days.

People get tired ofthe permanent connection. They admit that itisnot that easy togive upsurfing the Internet and using the technologies.

Some figures

Judging bythe available data, wecan see that this trend does exist. Almost 20percent ofthe social nets users ponder over closing their accounts. About 35percent ofonline population are trying tohave the days without Facebook and Twitter atleast once amonth (asreported byLeo Burnett and Pew Internet &American Life Project’s). 92percent ofNew-Yorkers begin the day not with the morning coffee ormeditation, but with checking for the updates ontheir smartphones. Some users confess that they, for some reason, check for updates when waking upatnight. Onaverage, person looks atthe screen ofhis mobile 150 times aday, and often even without having received any messages. And 10percent ofthe young people claim texting while making love tobeok.

Disconnection boom

Tour operators were the first who began using the term Digital detox. Travel companies and hotels started toadd special tours totheir offers and vacation packages which promised you time without mobile devices and the Internet. That tradition was taken upand developed bythe Digital detox Camp Grounded, California. Itisaboy scout summer camp where you can try archery; tell stories around the campfire and keep adiary onthe ecologically friendly kraft paper. Such retreat, where all the digital devices are under lock and key, isvery popular among the CEOs from the Silicon Valley, programmers orpeople who are simply tired ofbeing connected.

In2013 disconnection from the Internet caughton. Atfirst, travel agencies set the fashion. And then itstarted: the journalists were throwing out their iPhones and rushing into analog seclusions, just the way Henry Thoreau did inthe 19th century, when hespent two years away from civilization, inacabin atWalden Pond.

Paul Miller, editor ofthe technology news and media network The Verge, took ahiatus from the Internet for awhole year. “Itwas not soeasy,”— hesays. Ifatfirst heread Homer and enjoyed his freedom, atthe end ofthe year hefound himself being acouch potato playing video games. Paul admits that having resigned the Internet, helost the most important thing— human communication. Hedid not lose his job since continued towrite articles byusing alaptop and flash drive. Quite the contrary— atthe end ofthe retreat Paul got into the limelight ofmany publications and talk shows.

One more case ofthe extreme detox has been presented byThierry Crouzet. Hegave upthe Internet for six months. Having got over the stress and panic attack Thierry disconnected from the Net and chronicled his experience inthe book called “How todowithout the Internet after the overdose.” Inthe end ofhis journey Thierry laid down the purpose ofhis experiment:

“Weneed toreconsider our use ofthe technologies. The best way todothis istocut yourself off the Internet for some time soastosort out, find the useless and mediocre. This will let you know when touse the Net, and when tobeoffline. Disconnection goal isnot toput the technology inits place. The goal istounderstand what advantages and benefits technologies have.” Thierry Crouzet

Offline isanew treasure

Technology separatesus from each other. Thus told bythe wives who got tired ofseeing the smartphones inthe hands oftheir husbands and children. This will confirm many who ever seen his companion made bluefaced bythe smartphone screen during the conversation. Digital Shabbat was invented specifically tofight this. Digital Shabbat isatradition ofgiving updevices from Friday evening toSaturday evening and devotion ofthose hours tofamily and other analog values.Just over the several years the society underwent akind ofaBig Bang: offline became the new treasure. Ifearlier people were trying toescape the overwork, stress and exhaust fumes, now they are searching for freedom from the Internet.

Itwas Simon Waterfall, co-founder ofPoke agency, who coined the slogan “off is a new emotion”. In2011, Simon named one ofthe attribute ofthe future. Itwas adesire togoatleast for some time into the off state. Simon asks himself: “Can wedesign anew emotion for the future? Everything isconnected, everything isintouch, everything isgoing faster and faster. Idon’t want all ofthis. Iwant toturn everything off.”

Who disconnects and why

French agency Dagobert divides people who don’t use the Internet into three groups:

Digital outsiders— people who donot regularly surf the Net onmaterial orsocial reasons. This happens asthe technologies seem too perplexing for them, orthey just don’t have Internet access. Itisthe biggest group inthe world, and itisasevere problem that hampers social evolution.

Two other groups are considerably less innumber.

Digital worried— users who are concerned about the personal information privacy inthe Net. Such people neither have accounts inthe social networks, nor make electronic transactions. This group isthin. There are not that many radicals who abandon the Net over the privacy matter. Most users debate heatedly the issues ofanonymity, while easily making their personal information public.

The third group— Digital detox— those who are tired ofthe Internet and try tocut down ontheir presence inthe Net. They shorten the contact list insocial networks and feel aneed for spending afew days without the Net. These syndromes are easy tofind among the residents ofthe big cities who actively use the Internet.

Dagobert provides statistics for France. 18percent ofthe population (9million people) donot use the Internet.62percent ofonline users would like tolimit their stay online, orunplug for good. Atthe same time, 41percent ofthe respondents note feeling low without logging intothe Net more than three times aday. Qualitative results can beextrapolated tothe Russian society.

Switch-off days

People inthe USA also got tired ofbeing continuously connected and arranged the day off called National Day ofUnplugging, which takes place every year inthe beginning ofMarch. This day people don’t use their computers todosomething else. You can share your switch-off experience with all the people inthe world via the initiative website. The unplugged hold parties and take photos with manifestos such as“Iunplug togoshopping” or“Iunplug toenjoy mylife.”

Analog things are also humming inthe advertising agencies. Designers Leo Burnett arranged Analog day. They replaced the mice with the pencils toget closer tothe simple human values. All because the company executives made astartling statement: “The digital era isover. People wish toget rid ofthe digital addiction and get back toareal-life fellowship. The company changes the course tothe creation ofthe more vibrant analog advertising approaches tofollow the latest trends onthe market.”

Trend development inthe marketing

Goand use every other trend tostay up-to-date and amaze the consumers with the new features,— thus sounds the motto ofthe marketing specialists oftoday. Itwould have been strange ifthe servers ofthe “mind milles” had ignored that new trend. And ifatfirst marketeers were steadily keeping inthe consumers’ minds the importance ofstaying online, today brands, onthe contrary, use people’s lust for disconnection. Ofcourse, only tomake these people buy their products upduring the switch-offs.

Fast food chain Burger King atthe time oftheir campaign called Whopper Sacrifice promised afree Whopper toanyone who would remove 10people from their friend-list using aspecial application, and post that ontheir Facebook page. This promo conjure upthe digital campaign ofthe vodka “Russian standard”, which concept gave everyone achance toplay with their friends the virtual Russian roulette for their social profile.

Coca-Cola Avatar commercial demonstrates the people who cease tocommunicate with their friends, help others inthe street, and become aloof and absent-minded. All because they are too immersed inthe games and social media. The message issimple: “Inthe modern world everybody issopassionate about virtual life that they lose touch with reality and real people. Coca-Cola brings you round toreality and gives food for communication inthe real world.”

The trend “back tooffline” was used byDiesel topromote the classical YUK Pre-Internet shoe from 1993. Promotion campaign “Pre-Internet shoe” placed atstake the re-launched classic sneakers YUK. Tobecome the owner ofthe legendary sneakers with red sole, itwas necessary tostop being online for three days. The site reports curious figures: most ofthe competitors fell out ofthe race after 17hours, having written something inthe social network.

The Digital detox trend isaconvenient way for the owner ofthe cafe orbar toexplain tothe visitors why there isnoWi-Fi. Once you hang asign inthe hall saying “wehave noInternet, communicate with each other”, and your bar isinstantly ontrend. The JWT agency arranged special benches for KitKat inthe cities, around which there isnoWi-Fi. One can easily sit onthese benches chatting and having achocolate bite.

The brightest manifestation ofthe trend happened inthe alcoholic industry. Many countries have the direct advertising ofalcoholic beverages put under aban: videos cannot beshown onTV, print advertising isprohibited, oryou are not allowed toshow people inthe commercials. Asiswell known, restrictions only stretch the imagination.

One ofthe strongest areas ofbeer positioning isthe territory ofcommunication. And asyou know, Digital Detox ideology implies that phones interfere with communication and hamper enjoying your life. For example, there isabeer so-called “offline glass” with the hollow inthe bottom. This glass isstable only ifitstands onthe phone. Offer “Phones are under lock and key” propose tothe bar visitors tobarter their phone for afree beer, smartphone isput inasecure safe for aparty time. Onthe Guinness beer poster you can see the impressive glass-shaped tower ofphones standing out (itrefers tothe popular game among the cafe visitors— who takes the phone first, should foot the bill) and the telling message “Enjoy responsibly.”

Norte Beer came upwith the way toprotect their consumers from that awkward feeling when the party came off, and your friends start totag you onthe photos which are far cry from being worth posting inthe Net. Special beer glass catches the flash and sends abeam inreturn, which spoils the picture. What happens inthe club stays inthe club.

Russian brands did not stay aside too. Inthe MTS commercial featuring the “KvartetI” atone moment men are treated for Internet addiction inthe Internauts anonymous club. Atthe next, they are soengaged inphoto gallery ofthe new pink collar inthe Internet, that donot notice her coming into the room.

There are examples ofthe responsible work approach with the use ofthe trend. Sodid Volkswagen when advised their employees against checking mail after work inorder tomake their rest more efficient and generate creativity. According tostatistics in2013 88percent ofemployees inGermany were available bymail after hours (in2012it came only to77%).

Digital detox future

Complete abandonment ofthe Internet isamarginal phenomenon, and itseems tobeimpossible inthe current social structure. Tiredness ofbeing online and the desire tocut down onconnection spread and gain strength. Life out ofthe Net will beaffordable only tothe very rich people, ortothe outcast and freaks living out ofsociety.

Everyone eventually will have todevelop their own methods toovercome information overload. Everybody will have tobecome amedia ascetic toacertain extent, otherwise itisimpossible tolead such ahectic lifestyle and stay connected. Rules and tools for overcoming the digital addiction will inevitably come toour lives.

Digital detox criticism— the arguments ofcyber-realists against disconnection from the Net onthe terms that are offered tousers today.

Science finds, Industry applies, Man conformsChicago World’s Columbian Exposition 1893

The term “detox” implies that the nature ofthe Internet overdose isvery similar topoisoning and disease. The Internet acts asanaggressive environment which causes poisoning. Apologists for digital detox offer todisconnect from the Net for anhour orafew days torecharge, inorder toreturn later with renewed vigour tothe daily clicks and distraction.

The main point of“digital detox” criticism isthat detox remains ahighly individual practice, which does not eliminate the major cause weare “poisoned” bythe Net. When the boots three times assmall are tight, itmakes nosense totake them for awhile and then put onagain. The pain will pass, but will come back again assoon asyou put your foot into leather trap. You must have your boots changed. Inour case weneed tochange the principles which the digital services are built onand which lay inthe base ofthe new technologies.

Little issaid about such approach inthe digital society. Consciously ornot, but the creators ofthe digital services jauntily advance the digital detox slogans just asthey willingly did let toys and yoga into their offices. “Tamed detox” neither puts injeopardy the customary business models based onthe user attention exploitation, nor requires the services architecture tobedrastically changed.

The fact that the design and algorithms ofthe social media are designed insuch away that makes them addictive issecurely concealed from the users bythe modern techno ideology. The links between the impacts which the technologies have onthe economy, society and politics accordingly are not publicly debated. And any who speaks for the striking changes isaccused ofbeing technophobe opposing social advance.

What istobedone?

The matter lies over: are weonly able toconform tothe uprushing realities orwecan change something? Well-known Belarusian-American journalist Evgeny Morozov, who studies how the technologies shape political and public life, claims there’s abetter way totalk about digital detox inhis article “The Mindfulness Racket”, The New Rebublic. “…let’s disconnect indeed. But letus not doitfor the sake ofreconnecting onthe very same terms asbefore.” the author says. There isacrucial need for the genuine social movements that will make problems oftime and attention online part oftheir political agendas. Itisnecessary toframe alternative practices, institutions, and designs.

Toachieve this one can lay down the laws ofsocial networks composition and towrite the Digital Constitution, similarly toThe Three Laws ofRobotics. This can bepublic licenses that are granted tothe social media. Once you see ared badge onthe application, beset for the local algorithms tomilk you, and your rights tobedisrespected.

Another way istolegally declare the constitutional right for the free Internet access aswell asfor the voluntary disconnection fromit.Different countries have already taken the first steps towards the regulators build-up. So, inDecember 2013 writers from all over the world called for anInternational Charter which would restrict the control ofthe security services over the private network communications. However, there isstill nostrong social movement, which could act asareal force regulator.

On-coming architects ofthe Digital World

Our future may betailored byengineers and designers who will create the projects and write programs for the future. “Iwould like all engineers toawake tothe point that being areal engineer takes more than just being anengineer. You need tobealert, tolearn togoway beyond, take acloser look atlife asitis,” aswritten bythe Spanish philosopher Jos? Ortega yGasset in1939. The engineer must beasociologist with firm political views, and the freer these views are, the better for all ofus.

Our future depends onour perception oftechnology. Wemust beaware that weare not just building technology tomake life easier. Wedesign devices that eventually change our behavior and our society. You want toget rid ofconscience, then create agadget oraservice, that will decide for you, and your conscience can gradually wear off. You want tobeconstantly tired, then create the social network, which makes money onadvertising. Ifwedonot return tothe discussion ofall the links and donot realize the importance ofthe technologies study, wewill lose even what weown now.

The Disconnection algorithm— step-by-step individual guide tomaking abreak for the Network and gaining new experience.

Everybody should try Disconnection

The idea ofmedia asceticism issimple: every person should have firsthand switch-off experience. This requires you todisconnect from the Internet completely only for afew days, oratleast from those services you spend the most time for. The experience you get these days, will apply toall your future life. Asthe researchers ofAthonite monasticism wrote, even one week spent atthe monastery will set astamp upon your following daily experience.

French journalist Thierry Crouzet inhis book “How todowithout the Internet after the overdose” describes his experience ofunplugging for six months. Having got over the stress and panic attack Thierry disconnected from the Net for six months. Hedefines the goal ofthe experiment:

“Weneed toreconsider our use ofthe technologies. The best way todothis istocut yourself off the Internet for some time soastosort out, find the useless and mediocre. Disconnection goal isnot toput the technology inits place. The goal istounderstand what advantages and benefits technologies have, and todefine your future online pattern.”

Info-addiction

Information causes biological addiction— onreceipt ofthe new data our body produces dopamine which makesus feel pleasure and satisfaction. Apart from its soothing effect, digital detox can beapplied asamethod ofinformation hunger. This means that atfirst you are deprived ofinformation, and then you become eager tolearn new things and explore the world. Inthis sense detox isahighly favourable condition for education oranew breakthrough.

Steps into the new experience

The algorithm set out below isindividual. Itdoes not require you tobehard-working and takes into account your particular behavior inthe Net. Just take several days and see what itwill cometo. Staying disconnected for afew days will enable you totake afresh look atyour customary practice and change the way you think.

Make alist ofthe websites, services and occupations which swallow most your time. There are usually three tofive services. For example, itcanbe: Facebook, Vkontakte, Instagram orTumblr. Take into consideration stationary and mobile devices.These will bethe services you are going tobefree during the disconnection.There isadigital detox for everyone. Those who always chat inmessenger will rest from instant messaging, who check the work mail even onholiday will unwind and recuperate, who constantly follow Facebook news feed will switch toother sources ofinformation. The most extreme experience isthe complete switch-off, when person doesn’t use the Internet atall.

Set the disconnection period. Average detox lasts 5-7 days. Asarule, the person manages both torelax from the Internet, and tomissit.Itisimportant toremember that the disconnection practice will dothe job only oncondition you devote three tofive days toit. Agroup ofpeople was disconnected from the Internet within the scope ofthe media asceticism investigation in2014. Many participants told that they had felt nothing after one detox day. Just imagine that you live onjunk food, and suddenly decide togoonadiet. Will itdoyou much good ifyou refuse burgers for one day, and then get back tothem again? You know that itwon’t beoftangible benefit toyour health.Along with the services that you disconnect from, define the services you may use. Itcan bethe services that donot bother you and take little ofyour time. So, ifyou constantly update your status inTwitter, itisacceptable towatch acouple ofvideos onYouTube. The main thing isnot tooverindulge. Ifyou think and feel that access tosome service will negate the overall disconnection effect, then add ittoyour Not ToDolist.

Onyour social profiles write apost reading asfollows:“’Friends, Iwill beout ofFacebook till the next Wednesday, here’s myphone number and e-mail.”That trick isfor your psyche. The same power that was previously drawing you into the Net will not let you break your public pledge and return. Otherwise you will goback onyour word infront ofall your friends inthe Net.I’m going tolet you inonalittle secret ofdigital detox. Itisalso agreat opportunity toexplain toyour colleagues why you don’t check the work e-mail atthe weekend.

Disable push notifications onyour smartphone ordelete applications for social networks. This will help you not toget side-tracked. Ifyou switch off your densely populated Facebook you are very likely toneed toreply tothe urgent messages. Inthis case install Facebook Messenger, soyou don’t need tocheck the news feed.

Now relax! Ifpossible, carry anotepad and apen with you tocapture your experience— keep your Disconnection Diary. You’d better take down the idea orfeeling related tothe experiment and technology assoon asthey struck you.During the detox time dothe things that you used todobut they were crowded out bythe Internet. For instance, you may read afiction book, draw something, goinfor sports, etc. The practice ofsilence isalso one ofthe most effective ways tohave arest. Just try tospend one day without saying aword (but before this tell your family sonot toembarrass them). For someone the reverse may betrue— doing away with the books will bethe best holiday for them. Itwill help tolessen the dependence onthe delight ofnew discoveries— the joy ofgaining the information isbiologically addictive. Inthis regard the new content isapowerful drug.

During orafter unplugging you can consider and reflect onthe following questions:

• What drags meinto the Net?
• What gives meevery particular computer service whichI use most?
• AmIa wise user? Are there any alternatives tothese services? How effectively doI achieve mygoals using the habitual services? What sources ofinformation doIignore, for what reason?
• What were the new parts thatI was performing during the switch-off? What did Ilike? What wouldI like tocarryon?
• Weoften present and write inthe Net just for several specific people. Did you miss them? Why exactly for these people doI stay inthe Net?

Inthe end ofdisconnection you will relish your freedom from info- garbage, savouring silence and tardy flight oftime. Just asafter the period ofcontrolled hunger therapy person doesn’t instantly pounce onfood, after digital detox you need toimmerse gradually into the infomedia.Analyze your feelings: would you like toreturn tothe Net? How would you describe your information intake and technology use before and after the disconnection?

Asimple message I’m trying get across isthat personal experience ofdisconnection should gain everyone. First ofall, itisasimple way toobtain anew experience. Secondly, not having tried this most ofwhat has been said here will remain just the words. When touse the algorithm isfor the reader todecide. Iwould advise not todisconnect from the Internet until you read this book, doitafter you are done. Thereby you will see more clearly the depicted phenomena inyour behavior and ofthose around you.