Technology Shabbat

Technology Shabbat or Tech Shabbat is a term coined in 2010 by Tiffany Shlain and Ken Goldberg to describe a day of rest or cessation from the use of all technology with screens: smartphones, personal computers, tablets and television. Shlain introduced the concept, modeled on the traditional Jewish Shabbat,[1][2][3] in a series of articles and films after participating in The National Day of Unplugging, an event sponsored by nonprofit think tank Reboot.[4]

History

The concept of a taking time to disconnect from technology emerged early in the development of the internet. Secretary of State George Shultz, for example, spent an hour each week in quiet reflection with only a [[pen] and paper.[5] Since the advent of portable devices, increasing numbers of people have adopted the practice.[6][7]

Shlain herself first disconnected in 2008, when her father Leonard Shlain was diagnosed with brain cancer, prompting her to turn off her cell phone during his moments of lucidity.[8][9] With her husband Ken Goldberg, she participated in the first annual National Day of Unplugging, to which she contributed a poem she subsequently turned into the film Yelp: With Apologies to Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl'.[6]

Rituals

All screens are turned off for twenty-four hours, often from Friday night until Saturday night. Suggested activities include reading, taking walks, visiting new neighborhoods, engaging in outdoor activities, and using pen and paper.[6][4]

Filmography

The concept of Technology Shabbat has been featured in several of Shlain's films: Connected: An Autoblogography About Love, Death, & Technology (2011),[10] Yelp: With Apologies to Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl' (2011), Technology Shabbats (2013),[9] A Case For Dreaming (2014),[11] and Making of a Mensch (2015).[8]

References
  1. Ngak, Chenda (December 4, 2013). "In digital age, where do parents set boundaries?". CBS News. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  2. "A tour of an unplugged SF home". San Francisco Chronicle. January 13, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  3. Shlain, Tiffany (March 1, 2013). "Tech's Best Feature: The Off Switch". Harvard Business Review. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  4. Considine, Austin (March 17, 2010). "And on the Sabbath, the iPhones Shall Rest". NY Times 2. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  5. Leonhardt, David (April 18, 2017). "You're Too Busy. You Need a 'Shultz Hour.'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  6. Levy, Shawn (May 4, 2012). "A Tech Sabbath offers a chance to unplug, recharge". Oregonian. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  7. Glaser, Mark (June 8, 2012). "Poll: How Often Do You Take a Break from Technology?". MediaShift. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  8. Friedman, Gabe (August 24, 2015). "The 'digital diva' is on a quest for the makings of a mensch". The Times of Israel. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  9. Cohen, Anne (October 15, 2013). "Tiffany Shlain on the Web, Women and Unplugging for Shabbat". Forward. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  10. Israel, Ira (May 4, 2012). "In crazybusy era of always being in touch, are we losing touch". Jewish News of Northern California. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  11. Barba, Ronald (October 23, 2014). "Season 2 of Emmy-Nominated 'The Future Starts Here' Premieres Today". Tech.co. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
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