Two Days, No Internet
This is no accomplishment for the ages, but since I purchased an iPhone, it has become an increasingly unlikely event. Given the horror stories of international data-roaming fees, I let frugality trump my need for always-connectedness while spending the weekend in Montreal.
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. On the other hand, I’m not sure what I gained from it. I had one less distraction, but a lot less informational independence.
The contrarian in me wants to say “would you spend a weekend without one of your senses, hearing for example”, because I believe always-connectedness is going to become that important to us. We shouldn’t view it as a crutch, but as a fundamental link to the world. It’s just so new we haven’t figured out all the appropriate social norms to bound it with.