Edit: Some links no longer work. I do not unplug nearly as often as I should.
Originally posted August 5, 2014 on AIXchange
I have another quick story involving my work with Boy Scouts.
Each summer we try to get the older boys involved in some high adventure activities. Last year this included target shooting (shotguns and .22 caliber rifles), archery, spelunking, rappelling and hatchet throwing. I didn’t bring my laptop, but with my cellphone I could check in with the office and answer emails. Really, it was the best of both worlds. I was able to camp out, but at the same time I could help out the people I work with.
This summer’s adventures consisted of backpacking, canoeing and canyoneering. Everything went smoothly in our case, though we do know members of the troop that had to be rescued around the time we were out.
For me, the main difference between this year and last was that I didn’t have cellphone coverage during our recent trek into the Arizona mountains. Honestly, I’m not sure this was a bad thing.
Where we were, there was absolutely no cellular coverage of any kind (though just 20 miles down the mountain, the service was fine). Of course when you’re responsible for the well being of a bunch of kids, you’d prefer to have a means of instant communication should an emergency arise. The troop leaders were talking about satellite phones. Perhaps next year we’ll look at something like this or this.
However, just looking at it from a work perspective, what would you do? Would you be OK knowing that cell phone service was a 15-20 minute drive away, or do you need to be constantly in touch? I will admit that I like to know what’s going on, not only in my world but in general. I had no way of checking headlines or sports scores or emails. I was completely cut off.
And yet, I think I enjoyed it.
It takes awhile to truly unplug, and I might have gone through some withdrawal symptoms initially upon losing my access. Eventually though, I felt relieved. Since I knew that checking in wasn’t an option, I could focus on enjoying the trip. Since I couldn’t check messages, I didn’t feel guilty about not responding to them. The “out of office” auto message option exists for a reason, after all. I was finally, truly, away.
For another perspective on what it’s like to go a few days without having a working Internet in your hands, Jon Paris and Susan Gantner share this story about “going dark” during a cruise.
I guess there’s something to be said for being unplugged, especially if you’re out in nature. Even though I returned to tons of messages, when I got back I was recharged and ready to get back to work.
How about you? When you go on vacation, do you escape from technology?