or a practice….We’re developing character strengths as
adaptability. These are exactly the skills we develop by
well as practical skills.” She sees Tech Shabbat as an
living a 24/6 life. On Saturdays, when we detach from
opportunity for self-improvement and asks, “So what do
the screens, machines, and the enormous primal-urge
you want to work on?” (pages 54-55)
network, we not only strengthen skills that will become
She mentions impatience as one of her struggles, but she also discusses hobbies that she doesn’t have time for the rest of the week.
increasingly valuable in an automated age, we’re also better able to see, and feel, the personal and emotional changes that come from being online and on screens so much.” These are mental characteristics we all desire.
If you had the time, what would you work on? Is it reading, practicing the ukulele, yoga,
While it’s unknown if she observes a day to unplug, pop
practicing patience or gratitude?
pastors) told Cosmopolitan.com (cosmopolitan.com/
star and new mother, Katy Perry (born to Pentecostal entertainment/celebs/a57808/katy-perry-wants-you-to-
Shlain is a dedicated to journaling and is very concerned
give-your-phone-a-break), “Speaking from someone who
about the future of the Web. Some of the latter chapters
has a lot of social media spotlight, I feel like social
are devoted to these interests, which she interweaves
media is very narcissistic and displays a life that isn’t
with her 24/6 lifestyle. She explains how silence and
really real,” She went on to say “I wish there was a thing
creativity can be central not only to one’s observance
like Shabbat that wasn’t particularly religious-based,
of Tech Shabbat but also to a healthy approach to life
that was kind of a worldwide day where we’re not on
itself. Some, such as Catherine Price, call some of these
our phones — like a movement. I just think something
ideas Screen/Life Balance. Randi Zuckerberg says that
like this would be really great for our minds, especially
she is bemused by those who viewed her emphasis
because kids today — if they weren’t born in the 80s —
on life balance as an innovative idea. “People were like
don’t even know what a life without internet is like. And I
‘Wow, new concept.’ No, Shabbat.” (JTA 4/6/16)
think it’s going to be really difficult for our focus and our
In one of her last arguments, Shlain talks about memory and other brain skills. She argues on pages 148-150
attention spans moving forward. So I’d love if the world implemented an actual day of real rest.”
that “taking a day off from all screens every week
To deem Shlain’s (and Perry’s) argument valid, you may
actually does affect memory in many positive ways…A
have to try a 24/6 lifestyle for yourself. Below (in the
recent study confirmed that we remember things less
teen and adult sections) are the observations of a few
well when we use screens to document them. On page
tech-savvy people who have tried it, as well as ideas on
163, she states that “the skills that machines don’t
how to get started:
have: curiosity, creativity, empathy, critical thinking,
Friday Night Dinner Conversation Starters For Tech Shabbat observers, Friday night dinner is
regardless of what we’re doing, on Friday night, we take
often the major event beginning the unplugging.
a minute to just acknowledge one another,” she says, “to
There are different approaches to Friday night dinner
acknowledge our children, to acknowledge our family,
conversations. Mila Kunis, the actress, proclaims, “I love
say I love you, apologize for all the dumb shit that we
the idea of — regardless of where we are in the world,
did, and move on….Nobody’s gonna wanna talk. My 10
