Just as this week is almost over, did I learn it is Turnoff Week, formerly TV Turnoff Week. As the name indicates, the goal behind Turnoff Week is to turn off your televisions, later expanded to computers and other digital devices, for seven days.  The reason for the outage is backed up with various facts on how extended time in front of a screen will lead to all sorts of problems, from lack of sleep, to obesity and other diseases.
This of course, got me thinking about my own digital relationship with my Nexus One. I’m sure like most of you, my phone is almost always within arms reach. My Android contains my contacts, schedule, books; my Nexus One helps me get up in the morning,and provides information and entertainment throughout my day. In short, it’s a good part of my life bundled into a 2 x 4 container.
Now, I’m not suggesting we should all shelve our Androids for a week. Personally speaking, I don’t think I could stand more than a couple days not being able to use my Android. Once, I switched phones with my husband for a day after his G1 bricked, and I admit I had an uncomfortable feeling of being stranded. Is it an addiction? Perhaps. If it is a form of addiction, I think it’s to the convenience and accessibility of information, rather than object fixation. Just as most people would rather drive than walk or take the bus, once we are presented with a speedier alternative, we are hesitant to take a step back.
How about you guys? Could you do the turn off challenge? Do we need the time away to retain perspective? Are you so attached to your Android that your life would collapse without it?
