Online/Offline: taking a step back from constant connectedness
From mobile phones to wearable tech, smart home technology and widespread surveillance, there are very few occasions today to truly disconnect. One of our speakers at the upcoming Dynamic/MTL, Joe Hollier, Co-Founder and Designer of The Light Phone, is taking a new approach to our always-on culture with a phone that is intended to be used as little as possible.
There are many obvious positive effects to online life, from the ability to reach everyone all the time, to working remotely, or getting to know people around the world who share your passion for mangosteens. Conversely, there is a rise in negative effects that we may not consider as often, such as our dependency on our devices and their impact on our health. There are increased documented symptoms of smartphone addiction, such as anxiety if separated from one’s phone, or an incapacity to enjoy solitude. A constant need for for validation through “likes” and pings has made us increasingly narcissistic, feeling like we need to document and share our lives in order to always present a favourable digital version of ourselves.
This state of being has been described as extrospective, i.e. the opposite of introspective:
“We live in an extrospective society, one that thinks happiness is found in the outside world. We tend to believe wholeheartedly that the more we cram every living moment with outside sources of enjoyment, excitement and pleasure, the more we we're living.” - Mateo Sol, Loner Wolf
This trend has led not only to new social phenomena such as FOMO, but also to an incapacity to appreciate one’s surroundings without technology. If we haven’t taken a photo or tweeted about an event or a beautiful landscape, does it exist, does it matter?
The popularity of new wearable tech such as the Fitbit or Apple Watch come with a new set conveniences, yet also with significant privacy concerns. As large amounts of our personal health data are collected, what are we sacrificing? With a booming data brokerage industry, one has to wonder who the buyers are, and what they are planning to do with all our information.
The upcoming launch of The Light Phone is an interesting response to today’s invasive technology, as it strips back the phone to its essence in only making and receiving calls. Created in collaboration with Hyper Island through Google’s 30 Weeks incubator, The Light Phone has just completed a round of Kickstarter funding: “with the goal of helping people live more consciously.” The size of a credit card, this bare-bones phone is a refreshing change from the average computer-in-your pocket device.
In relation to our Volume 4 theme “Beyond Curation”, The Light Phone should allow users to curate their day-to-day experiences, choosing when they want to be fully connected and when they might prefer to enjoy their surroundings without distraction. The minimal device itself is also highly curated, featuring only select essential functions rather than cramming as much as possible into the design. Is The Light Phone a beacon for future tech design? Will technology of the future be less invasive, or will we simply use less technology? Look forward these questions and more at Dynamic/MTL Vol. 4.
Buy tickets
Dynamic/MTL Vol. 4
Beyond Curation: art, publishing & design
Tuesday July 14th, 5:30 pm
Phi Centre
