What does it take to go 10 hours without touching technology? You might gasp at the idea, but it's definitely an interesting challenge.
I decided to take it on, inspired by a similar challenge given by a professor of mine a few weeks ago — this means no tablet, computers, video games, TV, phone or anything else with an electronic pulse.
The difference here is that I’m allowing myself exceptions if the need is dire. Additionally, I used my phone’s camera only to document the challenge.
Here’s what happened.
6 a.m. - 7 a.m.
After waking up, I’m usually screwing around on my tablet and scanning my usual game websites in bed. However, today I find myself getting up out of sheer boredom and an odd desire to start the day.
I nearly shed a post-breakfast tear as I pack my bag with my Nexus tablet and laptop for use later in the day, the irony not lost on me.
7 a.m. - 8 a.m.
I drive off to West campus with a lack of music in the car, the weight of the tech in my bag a reminder of what I'm missing. The silence isn’t bad — I rolled down the windows for a nice morning breeze that would otherwise deafen whatever music I would be playing.
Additionally, thanks to the lack of the typical morning distractions, I’m actually on time for the shuttle to Downtown. It is tuned to the local pop radio station, but the fact that I won't be late to class is a plus.
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
This is weird. No crowds of students on campus and the door to my Spanish class is still locked.
Oh, right — I’m here early. I get used to the calm morning silence of the hallway as I try to finish up a book, "The Supernatural Enhancements," which is an effective replacement for music and portable Internet.
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
I missed Monday’s Spanish class thanks to the Motor Vehicle Department, so I’m forced to break rules to bring up the textbook on my tablet. My poor language skills force me to look up terms online.
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
We go to a lecture for the rest of the class after a break so I stow away the tablet. Afterward, I’m back to reading during lunch, even though nearby café speakers are blaring a repetitive chorus. French producer Onra, how I miss you right now.
That’s when my memory, another thing I rely on my devices to keep in check, hits me like a brick.
11 a.m. - 12 a.m.
I’m only at the library computers for 10 minutes to type up a necessary question for my African-American History class, but it still stings to break the rules again. I’m also dying to work on a Prezi presentation for another class, but with two violations down, I’d rather not go three-for-three.
With nothing else to do, I wander off campus toward Roosevelt Row. It’s quiet and there’s a lot to see — with places I’ve never caught before. I make a note of the restaurants and other locales as I wander past a golden panda statue to the library.
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
I browse the shelves of the library for a bit, then sit to read a little more. I’m nearing the end of the book, and there’s nothing distracting me from the climax.
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
I head back to campus. Usually I’d have my headphones on, but I’m getting used to moving around without them — something I tell myself I should do more often.
I enter the classroom, and with no tech for homework and an inability to check the Internet’s April Fool’s shenanigans, I keep reading. Eventually, I take an impromptu nap.
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Still reading. Craving the final stretch.
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Despite my penchant for taking lecture notes on the tablet, I easily make it through my history class with a simple pen and paper — a task I actually miss doing. However, though the challenge is over, I don’t even bother collaring myself with my headphones or cracking open my tablet. I just hang out on the shuttle ride home.
Conclusion
Despite it being a requirement to live with and help my work, not using devices during this time was a great change of pace. I was forced to find other things to keep me preoccupied but managed to (mostly) last a class day without my usual tools. That, and it was strangely refreshing to traditionalize my note taking.
For those of us that rely on it for entertainment or distractions, it’s never a stretch to unplug for a while to see (and hear) what’s around you. It’s pretty damn nice to take in stuff that isn’t on a screen.
Reach the reporter at djulienrohman@asu.edu or follow @legendpenguin on Twitter.
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