Task Overview
This assignment will be HARD! That’s why I’m giving you a day off from class to do it. Pick one day before our next class to TRY to go Tech Free. Yes, it may sound impossible, but I want you to try anyway.
Very Hard Basic Challenge
Every hour (see, I tricked you already–you can’t go Tech Free if you are looking at the clock!)…Approximately every hour, write long hand in a notebook to record your thoughts about going tech free for that past hour. Hmmm, are we counting writing as a technology, like Ong suggests? If so, we’ll have to make another exception! Try to record your thoughts every hour or two for the whole day. If you break down and use technology, then talk about why you lapsed. You can also record the times you wanted to use technology, but didn’t. You might also write about who you explained this task to and what their reactions were.
Note: Many people imagine this task to be impossible because of their significant other/kids. To some extent it is. But, before we invented cell phones, this was how people lived. So, talk to your people about the task to explain the goal. Usually, partners are supportive. If you need to make some small adjustments to maintain the health of your relationship, you may do so.
Even Harder Bonus Challenge
If you really want to be bold, then, instead of going tech free, try going Literacy Free. To do this, though, you are permitted to write each hour to record your thoughts (that’s only kind of cheating!). For this challenge, you will have to try to actively avoid reading. Record in your journal the things you do instead of reading. And since the only writing you get to do is in your long hand journal, then also write about the times you wanted to write and why. Again, you might also write about who you explained this task to and what their reactions were.
Super Hard ULTRA Challenge
For the truly daring, try to go both Tech Free and Literacy Free for a day. If you are asking yourself what a person can possibly do on such a day, well, hint, hint, try going outside!
Even if you end up failing at the challenge you choose, it will still give us a lot to talk about on the topic of how technology has transformed our lives.