This doesn't have to be all or nothing, you can use mobile devices to supplement social interaction. At some of our dinners, conversation will flow, and people

This doesn't have to be all or nothing, you can use mobile devices to supplement social interaction. At some of our dinners, conversation will flow, and people will wonder about some fact, one of us will find it on wikipedia, conversation will ebb, and someone will check a feed for an interesting recent story to add to the discussion. We used to have petty bar arguments, but now we're all able to quickly identify what's simply a research question, and we get far less invested. We now have debates or probing discussions about issues and values that are deeper and more personal than "who was that guy in that movie from the 80s." I'd avoid guidance that tells you to always set some technology aside in some situations, and instead ask, "How can I use this tool to make what I'm doing better?" Just keep in mind that you're involved in a group project, and the goal is increasing the total group's enjoyment, not solely increasing your personal enjoyment. If you get that, then setting tech aside isn't necessary. If you don't get that, then setting tech aside isn't sufficient.