The Digital Diet

Introducing the Digital Diet

Plugged In, Checked Out

This note is mainly drawn from the introduction of a book by the same name. I have added my own Digital Diet Plan at the end. Please share your 'diet' or experiences in the comments section to help us all.... Sanjay Rao Chaganti– (sanjay@tillitonse.org)

Do you need a digital diet?

Let's see:

• Do you sometimes feel the urge to pull out your smart phone when someone else is making a point in conversation?
• Have you ever realized that you were texting while your child was telling you about her day at school and later couldn't remember any of the details of her story?
• Have you ever felt that something hasn't really happened until you post it on Facebook or tweet about it?
• Has looking left and right given way to looking up and down as you type on a smart phone and cross the street?
• Do you know you shouldn't be texting and driving— but still do it?
• Do you find that your family can be in the same room but not talking to one another because you're each interacting with a different device?

If you (grudgingly) said yes to any of these questions, then you're among the millions of people who can relate to being overwhelmed by technology.

How did this happen?

Sometime in the last decade we've transitioned from being a culture that uses technology to being one that is completely absorbed by it. The sheer volume began to overwhelm us, and the swelling flood of gadgets and Web sites and doodads started to align into a force that invaded our lives.

The force hit, not like a nuclear explosion, but like the slow invasion of an ant colony. There is no noise, no perceived aggression, and not even a hostile undertone. They simply push forward and devour whatever is in their path. Now, is technology killing us like a wave of army ants.  With a few exceptions, like distracted driving and mind- sucking YouTube videos, not literally. But it may be systematically, silently, and imperceptibly destroying parts of our lives that we hold dear.

What can we do?

It's time to look more deeply at our actions, to pull back for a time and then reshuffle our reliance on technology to make it work for us instead of the other way around. There's no turning back— the rate at which technology is infused into our lives will only accelerate. We need to accept that premise. Think of it like having to eat but empowering yourself to choose the best foods and mealtimes and following a steady exercise plan. The same goes for technology.

While we question what we eat or drink on a regular basis, we rarely question what this constant immersion in technology is doing to us. Think about it. Gadgets and Web sites don't come with nutritional labels. No one is regulating the amount of technology you ingest or how it's most effective for you.

Clearly, in many ways we've become married to our technology. That doesn't mean a divorce is imminent— it means we need a prenuptial agreement.

My Prenuptial Agreement or Diet Plan:

Laptop:

1.    Do not disconnect my laptop from the power cable in my office room. So, will only use it there.

2.    No use of laptop after 7pm.

3.    Close email browser after use. Check only 5 times a day.

4.    Check Facebook 3 times a day (Currently it ranges for 5-10 times day).

5.    Check my daily calendar around 9am and then at 7pm (for next day)

Mobile Phone:

1.    Remove FB. Use Laptop for Facebook.

2.    Keep phone away from me when at home. Close enough to hear it ring.

Review:

1.    The plans starts today – Aug 24. Review one week from now. Aug 31.