Can We Ever Truly Disconnect?

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I’m really excited about the ongoing “Network Age” briefing series that we’ve been working on with the SupernovaHub community.  Last week’s briefing, on the topic of curation and filtering of the Real-Time Web (with Andrew Keen who wrote “Cult of the Amateur” and Erick Schonfeld from TechCrunch), was outstanding.

Our next Network Age Briefing is “Can We Ever Truly ‘Disconnect’ in the Network Age?”

When: Thursday, August 13, 2009, at 12:oo pm EST/9 am PST.

Web and chat: http://tobtr.com/s/639145

Call-in Number: (347) 945-6578

One of the defining properties of the Network Age is being
connected.   It’s connect or bust for business, for government, for
pleasure — indeed, for survival.   But being “always on” must take a
toll on us.   Are we dodging “meatspace” relationships by burying our
noses in our  smartphones?  Are we burning out?  Is a backlash coming?

Join SupernovaHub’s Isabel Walcott Hilborn as she talks with Linda Stone (who coined the phrase “Continuous Partial Attention”) as we discuss disconnectedness in the Network Age.

When do you turn off the ringer? What about email purges?  Is it
ever acceptable to not even read what comes in? What is the best way to
take a break?  And why are people so sensitive about it?  Are we coaxed
by the sweet enticements of the net into distractions that keep us from
focusing and being productive at our jobs?  If so, how do we mediate
the distractions and stay on point?

photo: jrodmanjr

4 Replies to “Can We Ever Truly Disconnect?”

  1. I am always accused of long rambling comments, so I am going to make this short, brief.

    Why would you want to disconnect?

    I mean seriously, not just say you are tired and need some time off, vacation, etc. Why would anyone want to be disconnected and continue to live in this society?

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