COVERITLIVE.COM

11:18

Neil Swidey - Welcome everyone. Looking forward to a good discussion. Please post your question, and we'll get started at noon. Thanks, Neil

12:02

[Comment From Joyce]
I loved your article, and think about this sign of our times a lot. I'm one of those people who have not bought into the constant connectedness; however, I'm of an older generation and I can empathize with all of the young people who don't know anything different, although it seems all too easy for it to become an addiction. What would your suggestion be for the young people to gain some balance? Thanks.

12:03

Neil Swidey -

Thanks, Joyce. I recommend that people impose regular chunks of their day or week when they're offline and unplugged. That takes discipline. For me, I purposely find places where there is no wi/fi connection, so I don't tempt myself.

12:04

[Comment From Don Place]
GREAT article! I've been concerned for years with the elctronic invasion of our inner space. In particular I worry about the loss of SILENCE and the space that it creates for spiritual awareness and growth. Care to comment?

12:05

Neil Swidey -

Thanks, Don. Couldn't agree more about the loss of silence. That's why I sometimes keep the radio turned off when I'm driving, or purposely keep the headphones/ipod inside the house when I'm outside shoveling.

12:07

[Comment From Hogar]
Hey, I think you're being too nostalgic. Is being "alone" really such a good thing? The reason why we were alone before isn't because it was so darn cool, but because technology limited our options.

12:09

Neil Swidey -

It's a good point, and that's why I started the piece the way I did. I LOVE technology and the flexibility it gives us. My only point is too much of this flexibility ends up limiting us. I'm not calling for an end, just little breaks built into our days/weeks.

12:09

[Comment From Sasha]
I loved your article. I was reading it in bed yesterday afternoon. Just as I got to the sentence about "have you gotten this far in the essay without answering the phone," etc., my teenage son knocked on the door and said he wanted to hang out with me --- with a book! Made me very happy. Speaking of teens, though, short of disconnecting everything, I find it almost impossible for them to get through any sort of "regular chunk" of a day without the computer or something else of that ilk. Any ideas that don't involve being "the meanest mom on earth."

12:12

Neil Swidey - Wow, your teenage son wants to hang out with you, with a book -- that's a moment to treasure! I really think our future is one of managing multiple data streams, so kids need to learn these skills. But I think if you can build in times where it's not something you have to negotiate each time, but that it's just part of the expectation, everyone will be better off. As much as we love how much our 9-year-old daughter loves to read, we insist that she put her book away at dinner. Because my wife and I know it won't be long before that book is a cellphone! Also, I think vacations are a good place to think about automatic unplugging -- that is, if the adults can agree to it!

12:13

[Comment From freerocks]
I too love the silence that is completely engulfing when shoveling at nite, it is so peaceful I find myself outside longer than I need to be.

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