Disconnected

http://sidschwab.blogspot.com/2012/04/disconnected.html

In the film “Disconnected” three college students from Carleton College decided to give up their computers and technology for a few weeks. The goal of this project was to make them realize how much they depend on technology. It showed their struggles, growth, and how they figured everything out. This documentary makes you question your own ability to give up technology.

Computers are used all the time in school on a daily basis. Trying to figure out how to do homework created stress and problems for these students. They had to learn to talk to their professors face to face about issues and how to make sure they can pass the class without a computer. Most of the professors are very understanding about this, but some were concerned if they could get their work done without a computer. One of Andrew’s professors told him he needed to do an assignment online. Andrew did his Chinese homework online and said that he feels like this is the start of a slippery slope.

Caitlin realized how much she used her laptop and needed to find other activity to keep her occupied. Caitlin started to learn piano, do her homework more thoroughly, and clean her room. She said it wasn’t very hard to not use her laptop, but that it was an inconvenience for school. It got hard to communicate with others so they had to have various ways to make plans and talk to their professors. Chel had to find a new way to talk to his girlfriend and resorted to walkie talkies. It made it difficult to establish short plans like lunch dates. Chel said the best part of cell phones was the quick and efficient way of making small plans.

I personally think I could do it. They only thing that would be a struggle would be homework and communicating with your professors. A lot of my assignments and quizzes are online so that would be difficult, but if I talked to my professors about it beforehand I think it would be fairly easy to make arrangements. Everything now-a-days is based around the internet and it has become a part of our day to day lives. It would be nice not being connected with friends at all times of the day and it might help me with getting things done. It would be difficult to get used to, but the experience would definitely be eye opening and worth it.