The Bottom Line: Techno Resolutions

Half of the first month of 2013 is over, but it’s never too late to make resolutions to improve life. A recent experiment conducted by Dateline on NBC called “Digital Detox” challenged four roommates to give up their gadgets for two weeks. It was challenging and not very pleasant, but it demonstrated to them—and many viewers—that technology may have moved from enhancing life to taking it over. So what better place to start making a few changes than choosing a few ways you’ve given your life over to technology and start taking it back again?

• When driving, pay attention to the traffic not the text.

• Swear off forwarding every joke someone has shared with you.

• Look at the people in the room not at your cellphone.

• Write a letter, not an email.

• Make calls while WAITING in line, not when it’s your turn.

• Resist the temptation to tell everyone what you’ve had for dinner on Facebook.

• Use a paper map.

The bottom line is that technology is one—not the only—tool to communicate. At times, it’s the best way to share information, but it is still not the only way. With all the networking tools the military has acquired in recent years, even warfighters will admit that sometimes body language, eye contact and a handshake are communication tools that cannot be topped. Perhaps it’s time for all of us to remember that information ... but please feel free to share these suggested resolutions on Facebook!

Which New Year’s resolutions regarding technology do you wish the people around you would make? What items would you add to this list?