DIGC202 Blog Post 3
For 16 hours last week I was forced to take part in a media blackout for one of my media subjects. Below is a picture of the guidelines set out by my tutor and my expectations regarding the experiment:
In reality, the experiment wasn't that difficult because the 16 hours was spread over the course of a week and the weather was amazing. I cheated a little bit and did the experiment whilst I was working which meant that I wasn't allowed to use my phone anyway and there was no technology available. The only effect this experiment had on my working habits was the prohibited use of my iPod which I usually plug into the sound system, I was permitted to listen to the radio. But after hearing all of Adele's songs for what seemed like the hundred billionth time, I decided that my world is a better place without the radio.
I noticed that during the times when I'd sit down to do my uni readings (which were printed out) I kept checking my phone even though it was on loud and I would know if anyone was trying to communicate with me on any platform. Bettina, my tutor, informed me that habitually checking a phone or emails so often is an addiction similar to gambling on the pokies. I didn't even attempt to argue.
So in conclusion, I have an addiction to my iPhone, which made this experiment very difficult and it may be deemed a failure.
However, after reading Kevin Kelly's "New Rules for the New Economy", I felt quite good about myself, addiction included. Kelly states that Communication IS the economy and that it is the foundation of society, our culture, our humanity, our individual identity and all our economic systems. When we think of successful companies we think of Microsoft and Apple and Google all of which are technology based companies which provide societies with networks. In a way, Kelly validated my addiction to communicating as well as my inability to complete a media blockout, because I am utilising the technology available to me in a way that, in the future, will be extremely profitable.
haha 16 hours, geez! Yeah don't think I could survive that.. You don;t realise how important smartphones actually are to your life until you go without it.
ReplyDeleteWhilst reading down the list a slight wave of anxiety came over me. From one addict to another I know how you feel! I live off my ipod and it lives forever in my bag whilst my blackberry is forever stuck in my hand while I check it every few minutes. If I don't have my phone in my hand I panic a bit thinking I've lost it :Z
ReplyDeleteI congratulate you though on your accomplishment and bravery for doing this experiment! I might do this experiment myself to see how far I go :)
Although a little bit horrified at your lack of love for Adele (although overplayed on commercial radio, I know), I really enjoyed this post! Having had an iPhone now for almost a year, I admit I am completely lost without it. I rely on it for calls and messages, as a camera, to check emails, Facebook and Netbank, and I use it as my iPod. In regard to your comment about checking your phone all the time, I am definitely the same. I'd like to think I'm not addicted as such, that its more just a habit. In the end, it's probably just the same. Although I agree with Kelly's notion that communication is the economy, I'm not sure I felt validated in my 'addiction' based on this, however, whilst undertaking Communication and Media Studies, I should hope that my habits will some day be profitable!
ReplyDeleteI too have an addiction to my iPhone - it does scare me sometimes when I too check it for the thousandth time knowing that I would have heard it go off if anyone had tried to contact me! 16 hours of awake time spread over a week like you said would not be too hard but doing it in one consecutive block would almost be a form of torture ... I am sad to admit.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you highlighted Kellys notion that communication is the economy - I feel a lot less worse now!