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As a Sabbath observant Jew, I can relate to this article. I'm thankful for having one day a week without technology. It means that for 52 days a year, I get to

As a Sabbath observant Jew, I can relate to this article. I'm thankful for having one day a week without technology. It means that for 52 days a year, I get to not worry about checking my email; Spend time with friends and family in person, and have sit down meals where no one dares check their phone[1]. And it's great. But it really only works because of the communal aspects of it: Other members of my community are doing the same thing. Still, I recommend that everyone cut out some time during the year (maybe during a week of vacation) where they "cut the cord". You don't have to go all in. For example, maybe keep your cellphone with you, but disconnect your email account and don't send texts. 1[] We often have people over for Friday night dinners who aren't Sabbath observant. If someone pulls out their phone, I'll try to politely ask them to go to a different room if they want to use it or otherwise put it away.

pdimitar 9y ago
So using technology means not seeing your friends and family? Is being a member of a religious society the only way? I don't think so. I am quite successful in taming my tech in a very rigorous manner and I am indeed less stressed person for it.
- chadash 9y ago
  So using technology means not seeing your friends and family? Of course not. But a common problem I see is that people are glued to their phones/email, even when they are with family or friends. Before cellphones, there was the problem of people being glued to the TV instead of sitting down to meals with family. So yes, I think there are cases where technology impairs social relationships. Is being a member of a religious society the only way? No, it's not. It's just one way. Cutting access to my phone/texts/emails one a week is (in my mind) a positive side effect of my religious practices. But I think that anyone, religious or not, can benefit from being "off the grid" once in a while. For me, it certainly helps having a community of people living nearby who are also off-the-grid at the same time as me, since it means that everyone is available at the same time for in-person social interactions. Going off the grid isn't hard. Getting others to go off the grid at the same time as you often is.
  - pdimitar 9y ago
    > But a common problem I see is that people are glued to their phones/email, even when they are with family or friends. When me and my wife are outside seeing other people, we treat people being glued to their smartphone despite our presence as them being not interested in our company, and we never invite them to dinner again. Truthfully, if people can't practice some self-discipline, that's ultimately their problem, not ours. IMO mandating your family to not use technology at dinner won't educate them; it will make a part of them better at hiding it, or if that fails, they'll excuse themselves from the dinner early. As mentioned in another comment of mine, sometimes it helps with having topics to talk about: "Ive read today that.." and before you know it, one hour is gone. It can be pretty beneficial if used in moderation. I do see your point though -- using things in moderation is not the strength of the most Homo Sapiens. However, forcing never educates anyone. > But I think that anyone, religious or not, can benefit from being "off the grid" once in a while. I fully agree and to me that's an undeniable fact, and something that helps mental health a lot as well. But, as a very busy man in his most active and productive years (I am 37 now and I estimate I'll be very active at least until 50), I found that taming my tech to not spam me and to only use it for things I really need (even though I am a programmer and we are known to get addicted easily) has been the second best thing. Unlocking your phone and just poking at it is something I don't do for a long time and it helped me a lot. However, I do read Wikipedia and other focused articles regularly and I only extract educational value out of it.

pdimitar 9y ago

So using technology means not seeing your friends and family? Is being a member of a religious society the only way? I don't think so. I am quite successful in taming my tech in a very rigorous manner and I am indeed less stressed person for it.

chadash 9y ago
So using technology means not seeing your friends and family? Of course not. But a common problem I see is that people are glued to their phones/email, even when they are with family or friends. Before cellphones, there was the problem of people being glued to the TV instead of sitting down to meals with family. So yes, I think there are cases where technology impairs social relationships. Is being a member of a religious society the only way? No, it's not. It's just one way. Cutting access to my phone/texts/emails one a week is (in my mind) a positive side effect of my religious practices. But I think that anyone, religious or not, can benefit from being "off the grid" once in a while. For me, it certainly helps having a community of people living nearby who are also off-the-grid at the same time as me, since it means that everyone is available at the same time for in-person social interactions. Going off the grid isn't hard. Getting others to go off the grid at the same time as you often is.
- pdimitar 9y ago
  > But a common problem I see is that people are glued to their phones/email, even when they are with family or friends. When me and my wife are outside seeing other people, we treat people being glued to their smartphone despite our presence as them being not interested in our company, and we never invite them to dinner again. Truthfully, if people can't practice some self-discipline, that's ultimately their problem, not ours. IMO mandating your family to not use technology at dinner won't educate them; it will make a part of them better at hiding it, or if that fails, they'll excuse themselves from the dinner early. As mentioned in another comment of mine, sometimes it helps with having topics to talk about: "Ive read today that.." and before you know it, one hour is gone. It can be pretty beneficial if used in moderation. I do see your point though -- using things in moderation is not the strength of the most Homo Sapiens. However, forcing never educates anyone. > But I think that anyone, religious or not, can benefit from being "off the grid" once in a while. I fully agree and to me that's an undeniable fact, and something that helps mental health a lot as well. But, as a very busy man in his most active and productive years (I am 37 now and I estimate I'll be very active at least until 50), I found that taming my tech to not spam me and to only use it for things I really need (even though I am a programmer and we are known to get addicted easily) has been the second best thing. Unlocking your phone and just poking at it is something I don't do for a long time and it helped me a lot. However, I do read Wikipedia and other focused articles regularly and I only extract educational value out of it.