International Shutdown DayWhat would it be like if you shut down your PC for just one 24-hour day? No email, no checking the MLS, no spreadsheets, no web surfing, no ActiveRain ... just an empty screen, a silent keyboard, not even a mouse click.

Shutdown Day 2007 is this Saturday, March 24. The Shutdown Project was conceived by two guys from Montreal, Denis Bystrov and Michael Taylor, as a social experiment. According to their FAQ:

"The purpose is to get people to think about how their lives have changed with the increasing use of the home computer, how society is changing and whether or not any good things are being lost because of this."

So far over 48,000 people have said they can do it; 7400 say they cannot. Think back just 15-20 years when the majority of homes did not have a PC. Maybe you spent more time with your family, enjoyed recreational activities, or were involved in your community ... and everything you needed to know was right in your own brain.

Imagine what you can do in one 24-hour day away from your computer:

  • Watch the sun rise
  • Read your favorite newspaper or magazine
  • Show a child how to hit a baseball or dribble a basketball
  • Walk through your neighborhood and chat with the neighbors
  • Catch up on yardwork or tackle that list of minor home repairs
  • Eat lunch with friends at the new restaurant you've been dying to try
  • Take your dog out for a long afternoon at the dog park
  • Volunteer on a community service project
  • Get back to the fitness routine you started in January
  • Take photos and gather ideas for Localism
  • Think about your short-term, mid-range, and long-term goals
  • See the latest movie or visit a museum
  • Enjoy your favorite wine while gazing at the stars

So while Shutdown Day may be challenging technologically, it might also be a chance to rediscover the amazing potential that is already within each of us. It's an intriguing concept. Have we become too dependent on computers? Can we turn off the machines for just one day and be humanity unplugged?

 

12 Comments on Shutdown Day 2007

This is a great idea, but I am confident I just can't do it. haha

Thanks for posting this.  

03/20/2007 11:22 PM by Jacob Morales - Arizona Mortgage Planner (US Bank)

Jacob - There are some schools who encourage families to turn off their TVs for a week; compared to that 24 hours without a PC doesn't sound so bad! I think it's doable on a weekend.

03/21/2007 12:03 AM by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

Hysterical, lol. 

03/21/2007 12:38 AM by Downtown Long Beach Condos Long Beach Real Estate, Laurie Manny (Main Street Realtors)

I can't do it.  I gave up alcohol, soda, caffeine and fried food.  I don't have much left.

03/21/2007 01:16 AM by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)

Laurie - I was looking at it from more of a societal perspective, but now that you mention it, I can see that side, too!

Randy - Looks like you've made some wise nutritional commitments that will benefit you for the long run. Good for you!

03/21/2007 02:15 AM by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

We did this on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It was great!

I will not wait that long again, even though I will miss this Saturday's event.

I'm thinking once a month...

03/21/2007 07:03 AM by Mike Jaquish Keller Williams Realty, Cary, NC (Keller Williams Realty)

John- This is an excellent idea. Funny that it is happens this particualar weekend, as I was planning on "checking out" of technology for the weekend! I am planning on taking my kids to the Great Sand Dunes.

It is so necessary to UNPLUG and re-experience life w/o email and even w/o - dare I say ... AR?

03/21/2007 08:34 AM by Mariana Wagner ~ Colorado Springs REALTOR® (Wagner iTeam -Keller Williams Clients' Choice)

Mike - Once a month is a great idea! I'm sure your family and friends would really appreciate it.

Mariana - Have a great time with your boys at the Dunes and bring back some pics along with the memories! (And I suppose a couple of Jotts wouldn't be considered cheating) The Internet will still be here Monday morning.

03/21/2007 11:25 AM by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

Hi John~ I unintentionally went without a computer last week, when my internet went down...I thought I would perish. I had to go and enjoy the weather...darn:)

03/21/2007 03:37 PM by Laura Monroe- Real Estate Virtual Assistant (Creative Agent Solutions.com)

Interesting - we do this every Sunday.  No computers (no exceptions), phones only for conversing with family and TV is only if we watch a family movie together.  Sunday's are about family for us.  Anyway, we've been doing no computers for a few months now, it was hard at first, but now we're back to filling the time with things we used to do!  I have to say, I do look forward to Sundays!

03/23/2007 10:42 AM by Coeur d'Alene Real Estate - Come Live the Life Style - Christina Ethridge (David Swarat's North Idaho Dream Team (GMAC))

John,

Very hard to do, it would be nice, but very very hard !

 

03/24/2007 09:17 PM by Aurora Colorado Real Estate Ray Saenz, Colorado Realtor (United Property Brokers, INC)

John  The thought of not having email access for more than a couple of hours terrifies me  :)  Luckily it's the 27th so I missed the day and don't have to be tempted to try  :)

03/27/2007 01:39 AM by Anthony Clark (Alexander, Merry-Ship & Alt Real Estate Group, Inc.)

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Real Estate Agent: John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)
John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate
Las Vegas, NV
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Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace

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News, statistics, and observations about the residential real estate market in southern Nevada, and my experiences and thoughts about being a REALTOR®.


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