Category Archives: Disconnecting
Book launch for Nora Young’s “The Virtual Self”
I will be helping my CBC colleague Nora Young with the launch of her first book “The Virtual Self” tonight. If you are in Toronto, please stop by the Dora Keogh Pub on the Danforth starting at 6:30. Nora and I will host a chat about the book, and then she’ll be signing copies (while […]
I survived National Day of Unplugging (and I can’t wait to do it again)
I kept my word. I successfully took part in Sabbath Manifesto’s National Day of Unplugging by going device and internet free on March 24th. Since I worked Friday night, I couldn’t quite start at sundown, but once I got home around midnight, I powered down my computer and devices. When I got to my iPhone, […]
Netflix: For people who love TV, not those who are cutting back
A new study by the Media Technology Monitor (MTM) is challenging some of the early worries many broadcasters had about the arrival of Netflix. When the streaming-TV service was launched, there were predictions from some business analysts that one-third of cable consumers might look to cut their cable television packages. Netflix was seen as an ideal service […]
My technology will go silent March 24th. Will yours?
I have officially signed up for this year’s Sabbath Manifesto National Day of Unplugging. It is based on the biblical idea that “on the seventh day he rested from all his work (Genesis 2:2)”. The idea is simple: try to go an entire day without using, or more importantly, being distracted by your technology. Just what […]
The 11 Commandments of Screen Hygiene
In her highly entertaining book “The Winter of Our Disconnect“, author Susan Maushart details the lessons her family of 3 teenagers learned when they lived without technology for six months. At the end of the book, she sums up her lessons: The 11 Commandments of Screen Hygiene Thou shalt not fear boredom Thou shalt not […]
I don’t want to be this kind of dad
I’ve seen myself in this picture: I came across this image when I was reviewing some of my material. It is from a 2007 advertising campaign for the United Church of Canada’s Wondercafe.ca site. It has always stuck with me as a powerful image of the divided loyalties that can come into a family when […]
Giving up my iPod for Lent
When I was growing up, Lent was always a time we were encouraged to give up something we enjoyed eating. I can recall marking the 40 days before Easter by giving up chocolate, potato chips or even Reese Peanut Butter Cups. It had been a number of years since I’d made a sacrifice, so last year […]
Media Sabbath
Sometimes you just need to take a break from all of your technology. In 2010, I was feeling overwhelmed by my digital distractions, RSS feeds, Twitter streams, Facebook updates and never-ending emails. I decided to carve out some sacred space for myself and my family. Sundays became my Media Sabbath* day. Here’s a feature report […]
Vacation Photos
I’m really bothered by a series of photos I saw recently show up in my Facebook and Twitter streams. The content wasn’t objectionable or offensive. I saw pictures of cottages, canoes, and lovely lake-side views of Ontario’s cottage country. What bothered me was that the senders of the photos were sending them during their […]
