A Personal Blog
Would You, Could You, "Go Dark"?
For the many natural introverts at SxSW last week, staying “on” for a full week was draining to say the least. Like Aaron, I’m a natural introvert. Many folk who don’t know me wouldn’t believe this. Folk like Aaron who do, get it. But trust me, I am. I’ve become more extroverted, but every personality profile will always label me an introvert – and for good reason: I recharge with quiet, I prefer small groups to large groups, and I get stressed in large groups where I don’t know folk (like, erm, southby).
So it comes as no surprise that Aaron’s contemplating the costs/benefits of “going dark”. His post, which I recommend you read before reading the rest of mine, really struck a chord with me. Having gone dark for a week in January, I can attest to its benefits and the social costs that Aaron mentions. But, I can also testify that it is oh so worth it!
I can see the benefits of going dark for 5-7 days to a whole slew of people, even ones who aren’t introverted. Things like just having space to contemplate, think deep thoughts, find yourself, plot your next steps in life, etc.
Could you unplug for a week? Why not? What would it take to make you able to do this?
- Image via Wikipedia
If you could, would you unplug for a week? No cellphone, no internet outside of a “private” email address that your assistant/wife/etc has?
If you would unplug for a week, what’s stopping you?
Aaron and I have been bouncing around a few ideas about this, and I think we’ll continue to. But I know I’d be interested in folks’ thoughts on going dark. The comments on Aaron’s post got bogged down on his celebrity or whether he should, and kinda missed the point.
Going dark is hard, but necessary for most folk (introverted or not). And while I’m not currently feeling the need, I bet by summer/early fall I will.
So if you could, if you would, what would it take for you to want to go totally offline for a week?
Let me know in the comments.
About the author
| Print article | This entry was posted by Jeremy Wright on March 22, 2009 at 11:46 am, and is filed under Business, Work. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 3 years ago
Nothing much. I recently went offline for over a week and I enjoyed it. Frankly I prefer it offline :)
about 3 years ago
Jeremy, I think that Aaron and yourself are talking about two different things here. His version of going dark seems to be removing himself from the public eye on the web – no Twitter, blogging, or any other indexable public tool. I don’t see him mention unplugging at all in the context that you do. As someone whose livelihood depends on being connected, it would be quite difficult to become unplugged in the way that you’ve mentioned – I’ve done it on vacations in the past previously, but it just sort of seems to add to the stressors.
However, that said, I can and certainly have considered going publicly dark in the way that Aaron is talking about. To me, I think that it would provide the benefit of really seeing what value the public I’m surrounded with online provides me, and vice versa. Honestly, as someone who is relentless connected, I’d actually be a little worried to find out if the value isn’t being provided to me – or, possibly even worse, if I’m not providing value to others. I’m not quite at the point where I’m ready to try that yet, but I think that my timeline is similar to yours on it.
about 3 years ago
Yes. I think it’s good to recharge the batteries. We’re going on a family vacation in about a month for 5 days, and I’m seriously considering unplugging from the grid. I might take my iPhone for the occasional email check to make sure nothing’s broken back home, but other than maybe one daily check for catastrophes, being completely off the grid.
about 3 years ago
This is a very interesting question. Personally, because I work in the IT field, I would need to stay connected for work purpose. But, once outside of the work environment I think it will be hard, but not impossible, to go offline.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that in order to go offline, one MUST have something ELSE to do which: 1) They genuinely like, 2) Are interested in and can see themselves doing regularly and 3) Are around similar minded individuals.
Case in point, I vowed to go without cable television for a year and have been successful. Since May of 2008 I cancelled my cable tv subscription and have started to read books a lot more in place of watching television or going out with friends or having them over.
With respect to the internet and going offline, I think it will be a tough thing to do, but it isn’t impossible to do.
Great post. I enjoy reading similar type questions and viewpoints that others have.
about 3 years ago
To further elaborate:
Even during a busy week I try to take periods of offline time. I don’t take mobile with me during sleep, just keep it in office. Neither do I use laptops much. I prefer my dual-monitor desktop at work. While I go on a walk I prefer to keep my cellphone in office unless I am expecting a call. It helps me maintain my sanity and keep my perspective and view the events from a wider angle. In short it gives me time to think and time to relax. After all none of us are coming out of this game (called life by many) alive, so why take so much stress and pain?
about 3 years ago
His thought started differently, but we’re on the same wavelength, I think (without putting words in aaron’s mouth, we’ve spoken on the phone about it too, heh).
But yeah, I think the question I’m asking is as close to fully disconnected as possible.
Would you go to a cabin where you had no cell access, but where there was dialup to occasionally “checkin”, and a landline in case folk HAD to get in touch with you?
THAT kind of “dark” is what I mean :)
about 3 years ago
Exactly :) We all have responsibilities. But checking once per day in the morning, and then having the phone in “phone only” mode for emergencies is kinda where I’m heading with my thought.
I’ve done it twice, and it’s surprising:
1. How few actual emergencies come up
2. How well people cope without you
3. How little email you get when you tell folk you’ll be offline
4. How quickly you recover
about 3 years ago
I bought a house in Nfld in an area where I have no cell phone coverage and didn’t install a phone line or internet access. I find myself a little itchy when I first arrive, but with the right company (friends, good books, hills to hike on, music), it was not as hard as it seemed.
And, as someone who is becoming addicted to being connected (perhaps I am already), I agree with you that it’s good to have time to unplug, have time to think without interruption, and enjoy the real life experiences that online life doesn’t offer.
To me it’s the mental equivalent of going on a cleanse/diet for a week – it is hard as hell as first, but then you feel some of the positive effects and adjust to the new norm.
about 3 years ago
I COMPLETELY agree with this. And that’s kinda where my thinking is heading too. No comments yet on my thoughts, but I totally agree with this!
about 3 years ago
I don’t really relate to you or Aaron in the “online celebrity” aspect, so the “cost” of me being offline for a week wouldn’t be as high as someone like Aaron.
My lifestyle involves traveling/moving a lot. In the past close 2 years that I have been an active part of blogging and social media space, I have also lived without having an internet connection for over 3 MONTHS (not including business trips while not at home). That means that 15% of my “blogging career” I haven’t had a permanent residence with internet connection.
While sometimes the “nose-whitening” weeks/days have been torture and I have realized I’m somewhat addicted to being online, the “dark periods” have been also good for me. I have come back more relaxed and with a clearer vision what I want to do next. Even the trip to SXSW was an eye opener, I was in the social media space, but offline most of the time, and now I know better what really is the thing I want to accomplish and do online.
Same way as there is no substitution for meeting people face-to-face, there is no substitution to taking yourself offline for a while and come back refreshed.
Thanks for a great post, and it was a pleasure to meet you in Austin!
about 3 years ago
We recently went totally offline for about two weeks in a remote corner of Panama. Mind you, we were writing our book, but we had not web or phone access. I think it’s important to get some perspective on my hyper-connected life, and to halt the torrent of incoming information for a while. You know, to live like most of the planet does.
about 3 years ago
I think it’s natural and healthy to do this. It’s called a vacation, right? ;) :)
In some way, SXSW was kinda like this for me because I spent so little time online, etc. and no one has my cell number anyway except for friends or people I want to have it. :) I blogged for like an hour the whole time, I visited 0 forums, I checked my e-mail a few times. I tweeted some, mainly in bursts at the end or start of the day. That’s it.
But, yeah, totally stepping away for a period is good and healthy. I’ve done it many times and will do it again, I’m sure. When I go on a “vacation,” I try to step out of the normal routine and let stuff go for a while. :)
Patrick
about 3 years ago
Two of my related blog posts during my one month offline…
You can delete this comment if you want to, not meaning to spam your blog, just wanted to share my thoughts during the times I was offline and did two blog posts about it.
“Not bad, even though I miss my real world too. This internetless life won’t last long, and I have to enjoy it. After all, that’s what I do – enjoy every day, and take the best out of it.”
http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2007/09/im-in-internet-rehab.html
“This rehab has gotten ugly. Way too lazy and relaxing. Not my style at all.”
http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2007/09/update-on-my-internet-rehab.html
about 3 years ago
I’m a classic introvert too (I know… you wouldn’t think it) – which is how the Dinner List was born. Because my home is my sanctuary and really the only person I’ve *ever* been able to spend every day with in the same space without wanting to go ballistic in my life is my husband. Yes, this includes my family growing up. So far, my daughter falls under the same umbrella as my husband, but she’s young yet.
That said? I go dark regularly. Usually just for a couple of days. You’ll know I have because I’m always complaining about having to ‘catch up’ with my overly full inbox afterwards. People just tend not to notice b/c I’m random about timing as it is. I figured out a long time ago that the only way to carve out “just me” time was to be so unpredictable in my interactions that no one expected me to be somewhere, doing a specific thing, at a specific time.
That said – I highly recommend to everyone who is an introvert to carve out that time on a semi-regular basis. Otherwise it’s just all one huge energy drain and no replenishment.
It’s hard for my poor 6 year old daughter – because both of her parents are classic introverts, but she’s an extrovert and gets all of her energy from being around other people… so it confuses her when we aren’t the same.
The reason you will find me on the internet so often tho is that I control the access. In person, I have no ability to limit the size of the crowd or the number of people who want to talk to me nownownow. On the internet, I can just get up and walk away from the computer physically.
I’m rambling. There’s a blog post of my own in here if I’d ever write it. Maybe I will. When everyone least expects it! ;)
about 3 years ago
Sharing the ilk of the IntroverTribe, I suggest that going dark is good for the soul/psyche as a formation exercise.
The soul/psyche wrestles for light when the darkness dominates – and that struggle is mimicked in our social networks. Just as we don’t look at our compass until we are lost, so too we don’t emphasize being present to the proximate relationships to us unless we are compelled toward them.
In other words, if we go dark on our screens, we just may find social light other places – because we must.
The art of travel, it has been said, is not in seeing new places. It is in seeing old places with new eyes.
I’ll travel into the dark with you, chaps and chappettes.
about 3 years ago
First of all, I find it funny that after a year, I’m still “logged in” to Ensight… Like, maybe I should clear my cookies now and then, eh? ;)
But, I do want to clarify that we actually are talking about two different things. Going unplugged is cool too and is a way of recharging, but it is a short term solution. My post was more about the musing of actually disappearing for some time. Would I be missed? Would I find that anyone would even notice? What would it do for me? Would I be able to rediscover the joys in my life that have been replaced by constant connectivity, social media immersion and demands on my time?
I don’t know. I have guesses.
When your life is no longer your own, then it’s time to re-examine priorities. For me, I’m at or near that point.
about 3 years ago
Actually the way to think about it is in terms of recharging. Do you recharge by yourself or around others?
Introversion and extroversion (in my opinion) has nothing to do with how easy it is for your to network or talk and be around people. It’s more about how you recharge.
about 3 years ago
Jeremy, find it somewhat amusing that you referred to “unplugged” as “no internet outside of a ‘private’ email address that your assistant/wife/etc has”. While there are emergencies, I’m not sure I’d even call that unplugged. :)
about 3 years ago
A few months ago I decided I needed a few days away from everyone, both online and off. I headed up to “cottage country”, checked in at a hotel and I stayed there for several days.
I did have my laptop and an internet connection but I stayed “dark” in the sense that I didn’t look at email, twitter, or other online distractions. I let all calls go to voicemail.
I spent those days in my room working on some ideas, refocusing on some goals, assessing priorities, etc. It was a really productive few days on both a personal and business level and the break from the world both online and off was truly re-energizing.
Afterward I made the decision that I’d take a minimum of 2 days quarterly and do the same. Being a person who quickly falls into “people fatique” it’s been the best way to deal with it I’ve found.
I’m also really overdue for another few days away. More than a week home from southby and I’m still in recluse mode.
about 3 years ago
I never went offline for a week, but a Bugatti Veyron will be enough to keep me offline ;)
about 3 years ago
I did it buddy! I actually went dark for 6 days while I was in Mexico after SXSW.
I had to be, I wasn’t about to pay the roaming fees on my phone. The place had no web either.
It was nice, but I felt some serious withdrawal. The city is so beautiful (San Miguel) that I kept wanting to shoot pictures and send them to TwitPic and Flickr. I was going crazy not being able to share my time there.
However, it was so good to relax and unplug. It was nice just to STOP the constant flow of information in my head. Srsly, it feels like I have a giant news ticker flowing through my eyes and into my brain constantly. LOL!
Great post man.
D
about 3 years ago
I wouldn’t be able to unfortunately :( just got my business off the ground a couple of months ago and now i work 20 hrs a day – it’s killing me but i have clients nationally and intl so I’m online for a huge portion of the day, not much of a mobile phone user, hate them in fact. I wish that my business was not as dependent as it is on the net !