According to the latest Corbis IQ Trend Report, devices invented to set us free are now causing techno-backlash as the over-connected struggle to unplug. Corbis says more and more people are deliberately disconnecting with technology and reconnecting with themselves and their surroundings.
Instead of demanding Wi-Fi access, vacationers are increasingly seeking tech-free spots to distance themselves from work and home. Advertisers are following suit with ad campaigns that encourage spending time with people, not technology; Corbis notes Dentyne’s recent advertising tagline, “Make face time.”
Employers including Intel and Microsoft have capitalized on the trend by instituting “thinking time,” during which employees do not take calls or review email. Companies reported increased productivity and collaboration.
Tech burnout is not new. However, the current upsurge is notable and easily traced to the worsening economy and its implications. As the U.S. financial crisis sets in, consumers are reducing spending and simplifying lifestyles. Yesterday, the newest gadgets were must-haves; today, discretionary dollars are going towards debt or savings as consumers brace for the long haul.