The news about 3D becoming commonplace is making the world all agog—and a-goggle.  Soon, even mobile digitalia images will jump off the screen.

Nintendo’s handheld 3D game arrives next month.  Sharp’s 3D smart phone shows up any day.  And 3D home theater systems will soon be de rigeur in every McMansion worth its stucco.

Oh sure, I’m a sucker for 3D movies when at the cine-mall—never mind the unfortunate up-charge.  Watching those meatballs fall from the sky (or whatever) boggles the senses.  Watching the smile (or sometimes, the scream) from my daughter thrills a dad any old day.

Still, the fuss seems sorta silly.

• After all, reality has been in 3D since Day One—eons before screen innovators found a way to imitate the magic.

One can only hope that the digitally addicted will not forget how to admire a sculpture, climb a tree, or explore a new neighborhood.

3D miracles still surround us in reality, too.  24/7.

While this site (and now many others) promote career breaks for personal sanity and growth, the resounding mass response remains, “Sounds great, but I can’t do that.”  

So here’s s tinier idea. Try a tech break: Take one day (24 hours) a week and turn off ALL your digitalia.  A high school in Woodstock NY did, and learned plenty. 

The experiment, chronicled here, lasted a month.  A survey at the end found that two out of 3 (65%) had stuck with the program.  

Not bad—considering that even academia has become addicted to screens and tech tools.  But of course, the social and habitual usage proved to be the most missed.  As one teacher admits:

“What’s astonishing to me is that my BlackBerry is not just a technological device, but also something I fidget with often…just to pass the time.” 

That’s a big confession for a teacher.  As a fellow educator, I often look out at my students—who are always wired about nine ways—and wonder what are they focused on right now?  Anything? 

Perhaps that’s the big brainpower question:

• Does all this data at our fingertips harm relationships and real learning—or indeed make us more productive as teachers and students? 

After the experiment ended, 75% of participants stated that being tech-untethered slowed down their production.  Yet one administrator wisely observed:

It forced us all to be creative in how to deliver our lessons, express curiosity, and learn from one another in a much more personal way.”  

Gosh, that sounds brilliant to me! 

To be continued?

No.  When the month was over, the students had had enough.  They wanted their MTV, err, tech tools (and toys) back.  Even one day a week was hard to endure. 

When teaching my classes, I do—now and then—ask them to close their laptops, put away their cell phones, get out a pen and paper, and just listen and take notes.  Or WRITE something.  For, say, 15 minutes or less.  That’s called journaling and note-taking–an admittedly radical experiment in contemporary education.

Recently, I collected their journals—to assess their ability to capture pertinent info and just jot their thoughts.  A few were marvelous, of course.  But beyond that, let’s just say I decided not to fight tech fate—but instead to be sympathetic grader.

What would you have done?

The most amazing thing happened to me last weekend.  I went to my daughter’s first-ever dance recital.  And at the beginning, the hosts passionately asked the hundreds of people in the audience to turn off and put away ALL devices—no phones, cameras, videos, iPads.  

Imagine:  Everyone complied.  There were NO digi-distractions.  Just dancing! 

For me, it was like going to a church that doesn’t exist any more.  The church of real experience.  Of being here now.  Of no rude intrusions by strangers and their tech toys.  Of everyone on the same stage—where talented dancers, music, costumes, lighting and more kicked butt over anything your digitalia can do.  In a word:  Wow! 

We are not alone.  Lately, media, bloggers, and even healthcare folks are questioning our obsession with these new playthings. 

For now, here’s an invitation to peruse some profound stuff and ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” 

NYT’s Tara Parker-Pope asks “Are you hooked on technology?” and tells about netaddiction.com and their research into how the digi-drug gets into your system.  Next thing you know, you’re saying “just a minute” whenever someone wants your attention, just for starters. 

• This is your brain on computers

In another crushing NYT story—this on on the front page on 6/6/10—Matt Richtel digs into “Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price.”  You’ll learn about how this stuff is rewiring our brains, causing dopamine spurts, and making many “forget things like dinner plans…and focusing on our families.” (sic)

As one subject’s wife puts it:

It seems like he can no longer be fully in the moment.” 

On the bright side, this suggests that Mr. Distracted was once capable of being present, which perhaps offers hope that he can get there again…

• Does the internet make you dumb or dumber?

Meanwhile, the WSJ recently invited two writers to take sides on whether the internet makes you smarter or dumber.  Read their commentaries and then decide for yourself:  Yes or No.  None of this “It depends…” stuff.  That’s like voting for both candidates.  Why bother?

I’ll do the same—and get back to you soon with my final answer. 

Just now, though, I’m having some touble focusing.  Plus, I have to check out a few new links, comment on some blogs, make a few fixes on my site and catch up on my e-mails. 

Aw shoot, and I just remembered a bunch of texts on my iPhone that I must reply to.  It’s beeping at me.  Again.  And again. 

And…what the heckers?  It’s 10:30 and I’ve forgotten to eat a healthy breakfast?  That never used to happen!?! 

Anyway, I’ll get back to you soon with my final answer.  Promise. 

(What was the question?)

It would be a full-time job to keep up with the reports and studies about “kids these days.”  And although that might be fascinating, the screen-time would be devastating.  So instead, here’s a quick summary of some recent good stuff.

• The first mother tackles obesity

Michelle Obama has assumed the role of poster-mom to fight childhood obesity (largely due to too much screen time and not enough green time), and announces a website all about it. 

• Frontline digs deep into digitalia

Frontline’s “Digital Nation” discusses the good, the bad, and the ugly details of the tech revolution—including experts who suggest that today’s obsession with screen living will someday be compared to smoking, which was viewed as healthy and fun not many years ago. 

• Screen time goes through the roof

A recent Kaiser Family Report shows that kids now average 7.5 hours a day, with half of that time on more than one medium (TV + cell phone).  That’s more time than they spend in school, more time than their parents spend at work, and 12 times the minutes they spend reading.  Are there effects?  Hell, yes.  More screen time brings lower grades, more trouble, and sadness. 

Are we having fun yet?

When today’s kids grow up, will they know how to Unplug and turn down the noise so that they can hear their own “Aha” ideas when they arrive?  Health guru Archelle Georgiou thoughtfully pondered that question in her blog yesterday—along with her own need for down time. 

Ironically, the ease and ubiquity of techno tools may be stifling our inner creativity.  After all, do your most original Big Ideas come when you’re on-screen, in the shower, or enjoying a nap?  Georgiou goes for showers and naps—and finds support from the likes of Deepak Chopra and an MIT professor. 

No argument here.  And that’s true whether searching for a profound thought or just some simple calm.  But then, at this point in my life, screens often turn me off.  And I honestly prefer rituals such as yoga, exercise, meditation (even better when it becomes a nap!), cooking, gardening, and hanging out with family.

Of course, “time with family” often leads to my having to compete for attention against various cool Apple offspring.  And no, I’m rarely as fascinating.  Who is?  It’s certainly not the people or messages on the screen; they come and go like flakes of snow.  Heck, kids even skip through song bits.  Attention span:  Mashed. 

Meanwhile, conversations become increasingly fragmented.  And quiet, creative rumination becomes an endangered endeavor. 

That’s why, In My House, Unplugged time is programmed—rather like “quiet time” for toddlers.  And there are guidelines about when and where tech toys are allowed—not at the table; not in the bathroom; not when someone is talking to you; not first thing in the morning or last thing before bed. 

Sure, this Bad Cop often looks the other way, or issues a gentle warning when I might prefer locking all my housemates in a quiet, padded cell.  Where they would be forced to talk.  And think.  And listen.  And look at each other.  And maybe invent a game, or discover a Big Idea that helps make the world a better place. 

Out of desperation for a conversation with my cell-phone-fixated tweenager last night, I asked about the evolution of screen-ertainment for his posse:  Millsbury; Club Penguin; Webkins; iChat; Facebook; texting.  That’s all within the past few years. 

So what’s next?  Likely NOT Unplugging.  So when Georgiou mentions the 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts we all have daily, methinks they’ll be increasingly about whatever our screens bring us—rather than the possible inspiration within and around us. 

As Sherry Turkle, an MIT professor who studies social networking puts it:

If you’re being deluged by constant communication, the pressure to answer immediately is quite high.  So if you’re in the middle of a thought, forget it.” 

Hey, the silence around me just brought forth this Big Idea:  5 times a day, say, when you’re feeling “the pressure to answer” that deluge, forget it! 

If the Real World isn’t interesting enough and fails to engage you or offer meaning, consider Georgiou’s idea, “I think I’ll go take a shower.”

The accompanying photo shows what kids on the tiny island of Grenada do: They hang out. It’s a third-world nation in many regards, but the kids seem truly happy and healthy.

Meanwhile, here in the US, screen time, sexting and violence keeps increasing.  And one of the few credible and influential critics of that culture just lost its voice.  Sad. 

Soon, the National Institute on Media and the Family will be without its primary source of funding, and had to hit the “off” button.  While there are other orgs and critics out there, few have had as much success battling the $20 billion a year gaming industry and preaching moderation and common sense to families.

Score one more for “Grand Theft Auto,” Facebook and the digitalia industry.  Never mind that…

• An AP-MTV poll finds 10% of young people surveyed had sent naked photos of themselves.
• 25% have been involved in sexting in some form.
• Kids spend an average of 44 hours week a average in front of a screen (TV, computer or video games). 
• 68% of school age children have TV or video game screens in their bedrooms. 
• 20,000 murders are seen on screen by the time a student graduates from high school.

It would be nice to end this post with something clever or hopeful.  But like the Institute, I’m suddenly speechless.

photo by Kirk Horsted

BreakAway hates to be so fussy about the omnipresence of screen obsession. But really, aren’t we all tiring of people who can’t drive, socialize or—brace yourself—sit on the toilet without a laptop or cell phone? According to a recent survey commissioned by Intel, 75% of respondents think it’s perfectly fine to play with your digital friend while on the toilet.

The irony here, to quote the news release, is that

69% agreed that violations of these unspoken mobile etiquette guidelines, such as checking e-mails, sending text messages and making phone calls while in the company of others, are unacceptable.”

55% agreed that the nature of business today demands people always be connected via mobile devices, even if it means taking a laptop on vacation or answering a call during a meal.”

87% agreed that it is inappropriate to use a mobile device at religious venues.”

It drives me wacko sometimes—being surrounded by people who choose to tap at their little screen rather than engage in the world (and people!) around them. But this article asserts the upside: communication, especially with teens. After all, getting your kids to connect is a timeless challenge. So we need every tool we can muster.

Psychologist Thomas W. Whelan, author of “Surviving Your Adolescents: How to Manage and Let Go of Your 13-18 Year Olds,” offers this practical advice about becoming one with your kids via textology…

Instead of seeing the whole text thing as an enemy, see it as an ally.”

My philosophy is, `Stay in touch.’ E-mail, cell phone or text — it makes no difference to me”

One way to strengthen your relationship is to let the kids show you how to do it.”

As for me, unplugging—or at least setting some parameters and periods that are tech-lite and human/nature heavy—remains a worthwhile approach too. But as the people (of all ages) in MY life text ME more and more and I contemplate staying close with my kids as they mature, adapting will also be worthwhile.

And I must admit, watching one Mom get all giddy when she received a text from her daughter who had just bowled her first strike, well, that was pretty sweet and made us all LOL.

If you are still sitting in front of your computer, postponing joy, here’s the entire piece.