The activity that stuck out to me the most this week was the activity where we did nothing. Absolutely nothing at all, turning off all our devices and going stimulus free for 10 minutes. It was very introspective, looking back on it, helping us properly see how linked we are with digital technology, and how we’ve been trained to constantly be surrounded and observing stimuli (usually digital) all the time.
Taking away all those digital vices and ways of keeping us constantly entertained was an intriguing prospect; and one that highlights just how reliant we are on digital technologies and media — not just for entertainment, but in all aspects of life. It drove home to me just how often we’re using our phones and tech, and the fact that it was an abnormal challenge to go without any of them for a short 10 minute timespan.
The activity also relates heavily to the reading for the week; Paasonen (2020) describes current media as decreasing our collective attention spans, bombarding us with short videos and content that try and grab our attention at all costs, leading us to become accustomed to said level of stimulus and eventually depend on it, lest we fall into boredom.
However, shutting off our devices and existing without the barrage of notifications and media was somewhat calming. It slowed the pace of life and allowed me to revel in the mundane, something that Paasonen advocates for, and might be something that I continue on the future (if I ever get ‘bored’ enough).