How convenient that the National Day of Unplugging should occur on a weekend, when most of the world does its best to avoid technology anyway. The fifth annual "holiday" starts at sundown today until sundown tomorrow, which means many may observe it and not even know.
Of course, it makes sense that the event should take place on a weekend. Otherwise, most of those who wish to participate (presumably people who sit in front of a computer all day) wouldn't if they hope to keep their jobs.
In its fifth year, the National Day of Unplugging focuses not only on limiting computer use, but cell phones as well. That's where the campaign may show its silver lining.
"I think that people are overwhelmed. It's physically taken a toll on people," Tanya Schevitz, communications manager at Reboot, one of over 200 companies (including Google) to support the event, told CNN. "If you think you have to respond to everything all the time, that's an unrealistic expectation."
Thus, the day is mostly about managing one's cell phone and all of its burdens, such as feeling the need to always respond in a timely manner.
In celebration of the day, several companies/groups are organizing no-cell phone gatherings ranging from parties to seminars on eye-contact and other behaviors compromised by technology. If only it was the summer time. Then companies could host pool parties that would ensure cell phones are not being carried and used.
According to CNN, research is in progress analyzing the effects of smart phone.
