Pairing Down
Detoxing from devices through mindfulness and “unplugged” retail
How many apps on our phones go unused daily? Do we all log into Facebook to message someone, but end up mindlessly scrolling our feeds? Cal Newport, author, computer scientist, and blogger behind Study Hacks, spurred a wave of digital detox upon release of his NYT best-selling book, Digital Minimalism, which challenges us to filter our tech exposure wisely by identifying the elements of our devices that add value to daily life.
As we continue to rely heavily on technology in all areas of life, it’s especially important to practice mindfulness and understand the behaviors that our devices elicit. Joshua Fields Millburn, one half of the podcast and film-making duo known as The Minimalists, calls digital minimalism “a cure for the techno-exhaustion that plagues our always-on, digitally caffeinated culture.” The concept of paring down the digital experience also has carried over to retail, as brands that frequently engage their customer base with tech are adopting a low-tech approach.
Nike’s special projects team is leveraging ISPA (Improvise, Scavenge, Protect and Adapt)—a program that aims to improve the commuters’ interaction with the built environment—with an installation of bamboo and rope in three cities across the globe. These interactive pieces aim to counterbalance tech, reintroducing the tactile, humanistic aspect of retail. While Nike recognizes the inherent reliance on technology in the modern retail world, the installation is a nod to the power of the imagination behind every product experience.
Sources: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport | FRAME (February 13, 2020) | Image: Laura Pittaccio