Punkt. is a relatively little, dynamic and independent company, and we like to keep close connections with our consumers and with people and organisations within the style world. As part of this, we frequently run 'Punkt.Challenges'. These consist of design challenges that form part of postgraduate style courses, and digital detox difficulties where self-confessed mobile phone addicts are invited to revisit their relationship with innovation.
10 years ago, smartphones were still extremely uncommon. Now, a life lived outside the structure of the mobile phone is uncommon. 10 years back, many people had smart phones, however they would normally only attract our attention if another human had actually chosen to call us or send us a text. Now that the majority of people's lives are a lot more automated: the new typical is to scurry around within a continuous onslaught of status updates, push alerts and an entire lot more.
Our Digital Detox Challenges have been running given 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 a crucial element of the Detox Challenges; by running the Challenges and releasing these reports we aim to keep the conversation of individuals's relationship with technology popular and on-going - both in regards to tech addiction and the significance of premium design in the genuine (i.e. non-virtual) world.
The huge distinction this time round was that the term 'smartphone addiction' had actually plainly entered typical parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, but in 2018 people were beginning to sound truly worried. You can read the reports listed below, however here are some excerpts from a few of the many applications we received:
" The continuous scrolling."
" I attempted it with an old timeless phone, it was like going back 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 variation now, however I needed to settle for a broke ass burner phone that's 10 years old ...".
" As a UI designer for digital products I've frequently questioned some of the success criteria used in my industry, specifically 'engagement' as a metric for success. Up until that modifications, regrettably it's really hard to fight against 100s of designers who are attempting to hook you in to their products. [] There is a certain irony about this as I design for these products but wish to get away from them. But I think it's a chance for me as a designer to value how important our attention is, and attempt to take that lesson back into my industry, ideally to influence a change in technique to innovation.".
" I have started eliminating all my social networks profiles and have actually instantly discovered the positive result it's had on me. I am a lot calmer now, and I wish to keep it that way, by also removing my mobile phone for great.".
Life is too short to keep our heads down.
Innovation has actually considerably changed over the last century, from being a practical tool in our lives to keeping us as connected in as much as it can and for the longest period of time. This Challenge changes that in its totality, pressing us into recognizing exactly what is going on. I've constantly liked using the newest things, however because Punkt. has been around, I desired to alter that, and with the Digital Detox Challenge, that's precisely what occurred. When you go from a constantly ringing smartphone to a phone like this, you recognize what does it cost? you can sacrifice all these applications that keep you hooked all day long: you do not require them.
In a manner, you do end up being sort of separated socially from your good friends-- let's say if they "Snapchat" you or whatnot-- however you begin to recognize that it's for the much better, and the Punkt. MP01 accomplishes simply that. It teaches you simplicity and teaches you that you don't require everything on your phone. Simply the basics.
If you feel like you are hooked on your phone, like the majority of people I have actually met, it might be a good time to provide this phone a shot. A lot of my own relative experience this feeling and I feel like passing this obstacle on to others so they can get the hang of it. This Challenge has ended up being so important in 2018 because-- as I said-- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and so on 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 pay attention to what's going on around you. If you feel an itch, it may be a great time to get that took a look at, and an excellent way to go about it is with the Punkt. MP01.
The more time we spend taking a look at screens, the lesser daylight ends up being-- and sometimes, yes, more of a hindrance. Whether you're inspecting your messages while strolling to work, enjoying your smart device with your friends (who are each enjoying theirs), or enjoying a movie, daylight is a hassle.
We started heading this method since we wished to. Nowadays-- to a big level-- we merely do it because we do it. And because others want us to do it.
Is this really how you wish to spend your time on Earth?
* * *.
In 2016, Google staff member Tristan Harris left his task to discovered a brand-new non-profit organisation called Time Well Spent, which looked for to broaden the dispute on exactly what innovation is doing to us and resulted in the production of the Center for Humane Technology. Ever since, the topic has blown up into the mainstream and it has become clear that it is not doing good ideas to our general sense of wellness.
The web page of the Center's site includes a striking montage image. A generic graphic of a smart device is integrated with a photo of a woman. However she is not provided as being on the screen. She is in truth looking out from the phone, leaning with her arms folded on the bottom edge of the screen as though it were a windowsill. She seems happy, taking pleasure in the view. And she is bathed in sunshine.
Perhaps it makes sense to utilize these brighter nights for something besides looking at pixels? And when bedtime techniques, matching sundown with a digital sunset: everything turned off, leaving simply a land-line with a number known just to household and buddies, and a dedicated alarm clock.
Signing up with those who have actually ditched their smart devices totally, combining a standard phone with a laptop computer or tablet (much better for typing on). Nowadays these concepts may sound almost extreme, but as far as biology is worried, they're what your brain desires. Thus 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 danger a lot of, and so on. 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 therefore less awake. Over-use consumes our lives, and it's becoming the standard.
Time for a rethink?
Do you find that anywhere you go, you constantly end up in the exact same location: in front of your smartphone? Utilizing it, or letting it utilize you, to stay 'connected'? Gotten in touch with exactly what individuals are up to back house. Gotten in touch with the latest news reports. Gotten in touch with work. Linked with games, YouTube videos, Wikipedia. Connected with images from the last holiday you took, and the one before that. What type of 'connection' is that, actually? This situation is something that's approached on us, and maybe it's time to begin making some choices ...
A vacation is a chance to change off, to experience new things. But if we don't likewise change off our gadgets, if we continue to outsource our awareness to image sensors and memory cards, if we're still connected to what we were doing before we left and what we'll be doing when we return, it's as if we're paying a sort of vacation tax. Part of the experience is deducted-- and not to help the regional economy, but to assist line the pockets of shareholders of social media companies.
Think of a traditional travelogue like Jack Kerouac's On the Road, minus this tax. There would not be much left. And this website 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 smartphone it might take place. And possibly you'll wind 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 talking with some residents. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This connect the growing slow travelmovement, and the reclaiming of overland travel as a mainstream and realistic option to flying, shown by the underground success of The Man in Seat Sixty-One. It's all about existing.
If we do decide to have a vacation that does not focus on processing big information, there are a couple of alternatives. We can go to the other extreme, and leave home without any type of phone or tablet. (That never utilized to be an extreme, but we live in severe times.) And we have options like altering our device's settings to 'minimum', leaving it in the hotel safe throughout the day, etc
. Or we can take a different phone. One that only does calls and texts. And then immerse ourselves in a various culture, have some adventures, or just enjoy a little peace and quiet.
The physical act of switching phones goes deep. It's a bit like flying the nest. And it's beginning to gain in popularity: whether a low-cost, old-tech model or something more stylish and current, choosing to sometimes utilize an easy phone is something that everybody can connect to nowadays. They might not do it themselves, however they certainly understand why some people do.
There are practical advantages, too. Only needing to charge your phone periodically is popular with everyone however if you're going somewhere without mains electrical energy, your greedy smartphone will be no usage at all. Likewise, with a simple phone you do not have to keep checking that your digital factotum hasn't cunningly found some method of running up monster-sized data roaming charges-- it can still take place. It's the 'actually being there' that really counts. Sure, travelling without a smart device will mean a few mix-ups, a minimized capability to strategy, to know beforehand what's going to occur. However 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 complicated cousins. Replacing a damaged mobile phone screen is a trouble at the very best of times; multiply that by 10 if you're abroad.
But it's the 'really existing' that actually counts. Sure, taking a trip without a smart device will suggest a couple of mix-ups, a reduced ability to plan, to understand beforehand exactly what's going to take place. Taking a trip sans algorithms is where the action is.
SMS 03 - Punkt. MP02 from Punkt. on Vimeo.