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| (Photo by Matthew Trump) |
If you’re reading this on the web today, chances are well-nigh 100% that you
are not participating in this year’s National Unplugging Day.
And who can blame you?
According to the LA Times, Internet use has become a full-blown addiction for many. A recent survey by the technology firm Tele Nav indicates that “more than half of Americans would rather give up chocolate, alcohol and caffeine for a week before parting temporarily with their phones…” Not only that, “one-third would give up sex, 22% would give up their
toothbrushes… and 21% would rather go shoeless before separating from a mobile phone.”
It’s no wonder then that the idea of a National Unplugging Day - devoted to turning off, tuning out, and dropping in (on family and friends) - would strike terror into these addicted hearts. However,
this initiative does not just focus on what not
to do. It is also part of an overall Sabbath Manifesto (“with roots in Jewish tradition”) that is designed to “bring some balance to our increasingly fast-paced way of life…” This Sabbath Manifesto includes “10 core principles” to follow while unplugged.
They include some of the following: get
outside, find silence, connect with loved ones, nurture your health.
For most Amish, these Sabbath-type principles are a way of life. Albrecht Powell reports that “the Amish are adverse to any type technology which they feel weakens the family structure.” This includes a general avoidance of “electricity, television, automobiles, telephones and tractors” (although some Amish will share telephones that are housed in wooden structures between homes, and others will utilize small amounts of electricity to power cattle fences and buggy lights). On the other hand, the New Order Amish allow such
modern conveniences as electricity and telephones within their homes.
Resources
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/08/technology-addiction-chocolate-caffeine.html
http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/pennsylvania/a/amish_2.htm
http://www.causes.com/causes/648905-national-day-of-unplugging/actions/1533560
http://www.sabbathmanifesto.org/
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