We live in an increasingly interconnected world where we are rarely offline. Some have argued that our constant access to information and each other through social media and cellphones is detrimental because it causes a sense of dependency. Futher, As Nicholas Carr (2012) writes in "Is Google Making Us Stupid?," our ability to look up information is changing the structure of our thoughts and memories. For this assignment, you will explore these ideas by "detoxing" from your regular technology practices. This is a challenge to "detox" from network technologies for 12 consecutive hours, including: making or receiving phone calls (except for emergency), texting, email, social media (facebook, twitter, snapchat, tumblr, etc.), and google. Don't pick a time when you will mostly be sleeping because, well, that's not a challenge. If you can't make it through the 12 hours, make sure you document how and why you were unable to. It may be a good idea to make hand written notes as you go through the day. When you are done, answer the following questions in 1-2 pages. 1. How did you prepare yourself for this project? Did you have to do anything before you `unplugged` 2. How did you feel as you move through the challenge? Did it get easier or harder with time? When did you feel the urge to use it? Did you cheat? Document your thoughts and emotional response to the experience. 3. Compare your communication practices to someone living 150 years ago. How are they the same? Different? Why? What does your experience say about YOU, your society, your personal biography, and the historical time period in which you live? 4. Does Carr's argument in `Is Google Making Us Stupid` resonate with your personal experiences? Why or Why not?

We live in an increasingly interconnected world where we are rarely offline. Some have argued that our constant access to information and each other through social media and cellphones is detrimental because it causes a sense of dependency. Futher, As Nicholas Carr (2012) writes in `Is Google Making Us Stupid?,` our ability to look up information is changing the structure of our thoughts and memories. For this assignment, you will explore these ideas by `detoxing` from your regular technology practices. This is a challenge to `detox` from network technologies for 12 consecutive hours, including: making or receiving phone calls (except for emergency), texting, email, social media (facebook, twitter, snapchat, tumblr, etc.), and google. Don't pick a time when you will mostly be sleeping because, well, that's not a challenge. If you can't make it through the 12 hours, make sure you document how and why you were unable to. It may be a good idea to make hand written notes as you go through the day. When you are done, answer the following questions in 1-2 pages.


1. How did you prepare yourself for this project? Did you have to do anything before you `unplugged`


2. How did you feel as you move through the challenge? Did it get easier or harder with time? When did you feel the urge to use it? Did you cheat? Document your thoughts and emotional response to the experience.


3. Compare your communication practices to someone living 150 years ago. How are they the same? Different? Why? What does your experience say about YOU, your society, your personal biography, and the historical time period in which you live?


4. Does Carr's argument in `Is Google Making Us Stupid` resonate with your personal experiences? Why or Why not?