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• SF Gate

  March 21st, 2012 by admin

  As I struggled to write the beginning of this column, I clicked over to Twitter. A few moments later, I peeked at my e-mail, scanned a NYTimes.com story and glanced at my phone. I didn’t mean to, didn’t think about it, it just happened.

  You see, I’m an addict. I crave a constant fix of the affirmation and novelty that social media, online news and e-mail provide – or at least promise – even though it sends me down digital rabbit holes filled with new demands.

  And it seems I’m not alone. More often than not, when the subject of digital distractions comes up, friends, colleagues and sources deliver up a hearty “Me, too!”

  If your mind clicks with a similar sense of recognition, you might consider participating in the “National Day of Unplugging” that kicks off at sunset on Friday.

  Read the full article here

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• Repair the World

  March 20th, 2012 by admin

  This weekend, from sundown on Friday, March 23 to sundown on Saturday, March 24, thousands of people all over the country will turn off their cellphones, log out of Twitter, shut down their Kindles and take a 24-hour break from technology. Sounds familiar, right? That’s because the ancient Jewish tradition of observing Shabbat is the inspiration behind the third annual National Day of Unplugging.

  The National Day of Unplugging is based around 10 core principles called the Sabbath Manifesto, which encourage participants to temporarily disconnect from the fast-paced, info-overloaded networks that shape our lives. Regardless of your personal religious observance, there are plenty of good reasons to follow the manifesto’s lead. It’s eco-friendly and good for the health and longevity of your poor, overworked smart phone. And more importantly, taking a break from technological distractions gives you the opportunity to relax and spend time with family and friends. To eat and talk (or sing!). To get outside, take a nap, and let your body readjust and reconnect to life’s natural rhythms.

  Read the full post here

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• Cellular News

  March 20th, 2012 by admin

  Reboot says that it is using Facebook to unite technology addicts in a pledge to stop texting, tweeting and “checking in” for the third annual National Day of Unplugging (NDU).

  Reboot, a non-profit organization wants users to take the pledge to unplug beginning sunset March 23 to sunset March 24, and then rally their Facebook friends to do the same.

  “The never-ending stream of information that we’re exposed to on a daily basis and the ever-present glow of a screen can be overwhelming,” said Reboot Executive Director Yoav Schlesinger. “Technology overuse takes an immeasurable toll on our ability to give time to the things that are most important in our lives – friends, family, good food, our communities and ourselves. The National Day of Unplugging gives people a much needed respite from the technological tsunami and a sanctioned time to disconnect.”

  Read the full article here

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• SF Gate

  March 19th, 2012 by admin

  Dan Fost is well aware of the irony of the situation: The former Chronicle business reporter, who specialized in technology during his nine years with the daily, is now part of a growing movement to unplug – or steer clear of – digital devices, at least for a given period of time.

  “These days, everyone has a smart phone in their pocket, and the temptation is to constantly check it – to see the latest e-mail, get on an app or send a text,” he says. “It’s nice to dial that back a bit. Being unplugged makes you a lot more present.”

  On weeknights and weekends, Fost prefers to abstain from work and the gadgets that go along with it. He even has an out-of-office e-mail reply that simply states that he has unplugged – and suggests that the sender do the same.

  Read the full article here

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• Most Interesting Person

  March 19th, 2012 by admin

  We have a lot of love for online, but frightening as it may seem there are pleasures to be found elsewhere, in the mysterious world of, OFFLINE – oh the fear!

  And with just 10 days to go before the International Day Of Unplugging on March 23rd – 24th, you have just enough time to get your hands on this nifty phonekerchief. Made from silver fibers that block incoming signals to your mobile, you can send out the right signal to your loved ones, colleagues and friends, by giving them your undivided attention.

  Read full blog post here

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• News.Yahoo.com

  March 19th, 2012 by admin

  While you’re considering pre-texting language that has survived into the digital age, you may want to take some time to unplug. The Sabbath Manifesto “asks people to take a tech detox for the 2012 National Day of Unplugging.” On National Day of Unplugging, “re-embrace the ancient beauty of a day of rest,” unfettered by smart phones, tablets, computers or (gulp) any technology.

  Unless you’re taking the day off from work to play in the garden or go for an extended hike (sans GPS) in the woods, it may be difficult to completely avoid technology. You can sign the pledge (by using technology) here.

  See the full article here

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• Team EcoEsty

  March 14th, 2012 by admin

  Do you feel tired and overwhelmed with technology? I know I do. Ever since the computer officially made its way into my home and brought Internet along, life has morphed into a whole new experience, multiplying my brain activity tenfold and decreasing my physical activity proportionally.

  If I add to that stress, over-working, long hours of commuting, too much TV and I believe that I will have painted the life-size portrait of the typical dwellers of the Western world.

  Now imagine you you had a day devoted to relaxing. And I don’t mean sipping tea in front of the TV. I mean a real, slow, old-fashioned day away from it all. What would you do? How would you spend it?

  Read the full blog here

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• Ways to Go Green Made Easy

  March 14th, 2012 by admin

  Did you know that according to a question placed on Uclue, internet usage represents 9.4% of total US electricity consumption per year? WOW that’s a lot! I think it’s time to unplug and step away from technology for one day by pledging to support The Sabbath Manifesto’s National Day of Unplugging. This will give you a chance to recharge and save electricity as well. On Average US internet users use aprox49B watts. If they were to power down for one day it would be a cost savings of $42B!

  Here are a short list of activities you can do while you are unplugged

  • Go for a walk
  • Read an analog book
  • Have a conversation with a friend or loved one
  • Garden
  • Cook a good meal
  • Meditate
  • Play board/card games
  • Build a sandcastle

  Read the full article here

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• genconnect.com

  March 14th, 2012 by admin

  Could you go a day without using your computer or your iPhone? The National Day of Unplugging – a digital detox day that starts at sunset on March 23 — challenges you to do just that. Rachel Sklar, social entrepreneur and CNN technology contributor, supports the effort to unplug, but isn’t so sure we are too tethered to our digital devices.

  Watch as Rachel Sklar tells genConnect why she thinks today’s technologies offer more freedom than restrictions

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• Have Fun Do Good

  March 14th, 2012 by admin

  Do you need a break from technology?  Has the thrill of “You’ve got mail!”  (and a text, and a voice mail, and a Facebook update, and a tweet, and a LinkedIn request) faded?

  Here’s a great excuse to turn off your phone and computer: The National Day of Unplugging is next week from sundown Friday, March 23 to sundown Saturday, March 24.

  I participated last year, and it was awesome!  I never realized how draining it is to have so many things pulling at my attention. I felt surprisingly relaxed and clear-headed after the 24-hour tech break.

  Read the full blog post here

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