My older son tried to get me to skip this release. I half-jokingly told him that not buying the new iPhone might put my "early adopter" status in jeopardy. He sneeringly said "Buying an iPhone is proof you're not an early adopter ... Anybody who really understands technology is buying the Samsung Galaxy S4."
I know he was joking. I know he was giving me a hard time. I know he didn't mean to hurt my feelings. Nonetheless, it hurt. There was a kernel of truth that got under my skin, bruised my ego, and had me questioning my place in the technology adoption cycle.
I just spent a few days with family. While that was great, what struck me was how much different our time together was now. Each of us was constantly checking our phones or watching the proceedings through the camera's viewfinder.
We seem to take it for granted that more of our time and attention is spent staring into a screen.
It's become our central interface with the world. In fact, we're consuming as about three times the amount of information today that we did in 1960, according to researchers at University of California, San Diego.
What does this do to our brains, attention span, relationships, and moods?
It would be one thing if our phones just sat there quietly until we needed them. But they don't. They exert a kind of tyranny over our attention and actions. Sixty-one percent of respondents said they cannot ignore their devices and check them within an hour of receiving an email, text, or alert -- and 81 percent of those surveyed interrupt conversations, meals, all kinds of fun things, to do it.
Rethink the urge. When you feel yourself reaching for your phone, hit pause. Ask yourself what could be gained from checking right now. Delay it--especially if you're in the middle of food or conversation.
We Feel Worse After Checking
I could almost understand the Pavlovian response we have to buzzing and ringing if we were guaranteed to feel better after tuning in to our screens. But it turns out we'll stop mid-sentence or mid-chew to check our email and texts -- only to feel worse. Sixty-one percent of those surveyed reported feeling jealous, depressed, or even annoyed after checking updates! It's no surprise, then, that 73 percent of respondents believe that their devices contribute to stress in their lives.
Rethink the effects. Next time you do a quick scan of email, text, and social networks, ask yourself, what did you learn and how did it make you feel? We rarely take the time to reflect on it, but doing so and owning up to how it makes you feel and what, if anything, it's doing for you, is the first step to making a shift.
We Spend More Time With Screens Than People
It's bad enough that we'll stop what we're doing with those we love to do something that will undoubtedly leave us more stressed -- but more and more people are opting for screen time over the company of others. Three out of five people admitted to spending more of their free time on their computers than with their significant others.
Rethink your time. Rather than let digital inertia take over, make a plan: to go out, to see people, to get food, meet someone for a walk. It does require an extra effort to put yourself in front of other people, even the ones you live with -- but the rewards you'll reap from that company will outweigh anything you'll find on Facebook.
Are you more worried that China is cyber-snooping on us ... or that the American government admitted doing it too?
When I travel on business in a foreign country, I assume that my
computer use is monitored. Likewise, many organizations are now
prohibiting production laptops, iPads, or other personal electronic
devices from traveling to certain countries. Instead, the users given a
clean travel device and instructions on certain types of communications
and activities to simply forgo until they're back in the country.
But here we are safe ... right?
Many
years ago, my father told me he assumed that people could see what he
did and hear what he said. With that in mind, he told me, it wasn't hard
to act accordingly.
These days, it is hard for me to imagine
someone being genuinely surprised to learn that nation-states monitor
telephone conversations, email, or Internet usage.
Nonetheless,
it is somewhat surprising that digital privacy hasn't been more a higher
profile ("real") social issue in our society.
On some level,
people are becoming desensitized to 'sharing' ... For example, look how
much personal information people freely give out every day
via social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and other social
media sites.
The rules of engagement will get more clear as we
start to hash out the laws and protections here in America, and the
conventions and accords that will at least superficially guide global
behavior.
David Pogue (the tech reviewer from the NYTimes) gave a short and funny TEDTalk. In it, he shares 10 simple, clever tips for computer, web, smartphone and camera
users.
Sure, you may know a few of these already -- but there's
probably at least one you don't.
or try this version (because the SNL link was down for a while).
The Google Glass Stare does not seem natural yet. Not sure how long it will take to get used to. For example, imagine having someone like this in a meeting dealing with sensitive data. A little creepy?
Whether you think you can ... or you think you can't ... you're right. ~ Henry Ford
Slack-Lining is kind of like tight-rope walking (except the line isn't as taut ... so it moves and bounces around). The image to the right is of me trying it less than six inches off the ground.
It was harder than you might guess ... Perhaps fear of falling contributed to the heart racing and muscle tension that went along with it.
Josh Beaudoin (the guy trying to steady me) claims that slack-lining is not an adrenaline sport. It is about being composed in the moment. It is about finding the confidence to face your fear and the power to manage your emotions.
Listen to some wisdom as you watch an awesome video by Josh. It was shot in Rock Canyon near Provo, UT.
Imagine the experience of being up there ... and what we do down here doesn’t seem risky.
Sitegeist
is a mobile application that helps you to learn more about your
surroundings in seconds.
There’s a lot of information about your neighborhood (or anyplace you choose). Drawing on publicly available information (such as the U.S.
Census, Yelp!, and others), this app digs it up,
divides it into categories (people, weather, history, housing, etc.),
and serves it up in easy to digest graphics.
The results are interesting, even though an app like this just scratches the surface of what's possible with access to
data.
Some of the data you'll learn about a location includes:
Age Distribution
Political Contributions
Average Rent
Popular Local Spots
Recommended Restaurants
How People Commute
Record Temperatures
Housing Units Over Time
Sitegeist was created by the Sunlight Foundation in consultation with design firm IDEO. It is the third in a series of National Data Apps.
Here Are Some Links for Your Weekend Reading
Almost time for Apple to release a new phone? My siblings made fun of me for still liking my iPhone 5.
Here are some of the posts that caught my eye. Hope you find something interesting.
Lighter Links:
Trading Links:
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