Punkt. is a reasonably little, vibrant and independent company, and we like to maintain close connections with our customers and with individuals and organisations within the style world. As part of this, we frequently run 'Punkt.Challenges'. These consist of design difficulties that form part of postgraduate design courses, and digital detox obstacles where self-confessed smart device addicts are welcomed to revisit their relationship with technology.
Ten years earlier, smartphones were still extremely uncommon. Now, a life lived outside the structure of the mobile phone is unusual. 10 years back, many people had cellphones, but they would typically just attract our attention if another human had chosen to call us or send us a text. Now that the majority of people's lives are a lot more automated: the new normal is to scoot around within a nonstop onslaught of status updates, push alerts and a lot more.
Our Digital Detox Challenges have actually been running considering that 2016. The negative elements of smartphones weren't extensively talked about at that point, however there has considering that been a surge of interest in the subject. Individual reports are an essential component of the Detox Challenges; by running the Challenges and releasing these reports we intend to keep the conversation of individuals's relationship with innovation popular and on-going - both in terms of tech dependency and the value of premium design in the genuine (i.e. non-virtual) world.
The big difference this time round was that the term 'smart device addiction' had actually plainly gone into typical parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, however in 2018 people were beginning to sound really fretted. You can check out the reports below, but here are some excerpts from a few of the numerous applications we received:
" The consistent 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 utilize our phones a lot - why should not they be beautiful in addition to practical?"
" I'm doing my own variation now, however I had to go for a broke ass burner phone that's 10 years old ...".
" As a UI designer for digital items I've often questioned a few of the success criteria used in my market, particularly 'engagement' as a metric for success. Until that changes, sadly it's really challenging to combat versus 100s of designers who are attempting to hook you in to their products. [] There is a specific paradox about this as I develop for these products but wish to avoid them. I think it's an opportunity for me as a designer to value how valuable our attention is, and try to take that lesson back into my market, hopefully to influence a change in approach to technology.".
" I have actually started getting rid of all my social networks profiles and have actually instantly discovered the positive result it's had on me. I am so much calmer now, and I 'd like to keep it that way, by likewise eliminating my mobile phone for excellent.".
Life is too short to keep our heads down.
Technology has drastically altered over the last century, from being a handy tool in our lives to keeping us as connected in as much as it can and for the longest amount of time. This Challenge changes that in its whole, pushing us into realizing what is going on. I've always liked utilizing the newest things, however considering that Punkt. has been around, I wished to alter that, and with the Digital Detox Challenge, that's precisely what took place. When you go from a constantly buzzing 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 don't require them.
In such a way, you do become type of separated socially from your friends-- let's say 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 do not need whatever on your phone. Just the basics.
If you feel like you are hooked on your phone, like many people I have satisfied, it might be a great time to give this phone a try. A number 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 ended up being 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 understand that you don't even take notice of what's going on around you. If you feel an itch, it may be a good time to obtain that had a look at, and a great way to set about it is with the Punkt. MP01.
The more time we invest looking at screens, the lesser daytime becomes-- and sometimes, yes, more of a hindrance. Whether you're inspecting your messages while strolling to work, enjoying your mobile phone with your good friends (who are each taking pleasure in theirs), or seeing a movie, daylight is a hassle.
We started heading in this manner because we desired to. Nowadays-- to a large extent-- we simply do it due to the fact that we do it. And because others desire us to do it.
Is this truly how you want to invest your time in the world?
* * *.
In 2016, Google worker Tristan Harris left his job to discovered a new non-profit organisation called Time Well Spent, which sought to broaden the argument on what innovation is doing to us and resulted in the development of the Center for Humane Technology. Because then, the subject has actually exploded into the mainstream and it has actually become clear that it is refraining from doing good ideas to our basic sense of wellness.
The web page of the Center's site includes a striking montage image. A generic graphic of a smartphone is integrated with a photograph of a lady. But she is not presented as being on the screen. She is in reality 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, taking pleasure in the view. And she is bathed in sunshine.
Perhaps it makes sense to utilize these brighter evenings for something other than looking at pixels? When bedtime techniques, matching sundown with a digital sundown: whatever switched off, leaving simply a land-line with a number known just to household and buddies, and a devoted alarm clock.
Signing up with those who have actually dumped their smartphones totally, integrating a fundamental phone with a laptop computer or tablet (much better for typing on). Nowadays these ideas may sound nearly extreme, but as far as biology is worried, they're what your brain desires. The medical side-effects of tech over-use.
Because of the evident reduction in traffic mishaps, Daylight Saving Time is said to increase life span of a country's people. Ditto banning phone usage while driving, of course (with a much clearer causal link). Phones threaten in other ways, too: scrollers walking into traffic, selfie trophy-hunters taking one threat a lot of, and so on. Over-use of tech diminishes our lives in another method as well-- incrementally and undoubtedly. It gives us a narrower existence in which we are less focussed, less rested and therefore less awake. Over-use consumes our lives, and it's becoming the norm.
Time for a rethink?
Do you find that any place you go, you constantly end up in the exact same location: in front of your mobile phone? Utilizing it, or letting it use you, to stay 'connected'? Linked with what people depend on back home. Linked with the newest report. Gotten in touch 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 sort of 'connection' is that, actually? This circumstance is something that's crept up on us, and possibly it's time to start making some decisions ...
A vacation is a possibility to change off, to experience brand-new things. But if we don't also turn off our devices, if we continue to outsource our consciousness to image sensing units and sd card, if we're still attached to what we were doing prior to we left and exactly what we'll be doing when we return, 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 companies.
Think of a traditional travelogue like Jack Kerouac's On the Road, minus this tax. There would not be much. And even if we're looking 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 mobile phone it could happen. And maybe you'll end up someplace that ends up being the emphasize of your trip. Maybe you'll find some appealing restaurant that isn't really on tripadvisor.com. You may end up talking with some locals. Absolutely nothing ventured, absolutely nothing acquired. This connect the growing sluggish travelmovement, and the recovering of overland travel as a mainstream and sensible 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 does not revolve around processing big information, there are a few 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, but we reside in extreme 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 different culture, have some experiences, or just enjoy a little bit of solitude.
The physical act of switching phones goes deep. It's a bit like flying the nest. And it's beginning to acquire in popularity: whether a low-cost, old-tech model or something more elegant and up-to-date, opting to sometimes utilize a basic phone is something that everybody can connect to nowadays. They may refrain from doing it themselves, but they certainly understand why some directory people do.
There are useful benefits, too. Just having to charge your phone periodically is popular with everyone however if you're going somewhere without mains electricity, your greedy mobile phone will be no usage at all. With a simple phone you do not need to keep checking that your digital factotum hasn't cunningly discovered some way of running up monster-sized information roaming charges-- it can still occur. It's the 'actually being there' that truly counts. Sure, travelling without a smartphone will indicate a few mix-ups, a lowered capability to strategy, to know in advance what's going to happen. Taking a trip sans algorithms is where the action is. And the screens on basic phones are often much tougher than the large areas of glass found on their more complex cousins. Changing a damaged mobile phone screen is a trouble at the very best of times; increase that by ten if you're abroad.
But it's the 'actually being there' that really counts. Sure, travelling without a mobile phone will mean a few mix-ups, a lowered capability to strategy, to understand beforehand what's going to take place. Travelling sans algorithms is where the action is.
SMS 03 - Punkt. MP02 from Punkt. on Vimeo.