Comments on: Shutdown Day 2007: Can you survive for 24 hours without your computer?

By: Gizmo

Gizmo — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:27:25 +0000

Hmmm … shutdown day sounds pretty interesting. But I can’t say I can do it. I’m too hooked up on the computer. If i’m not surfing, I’m blogging, If I’m not reading something I’m trying out some new software.
Some Ideas to do for those that what to try it out :
- disassemble you PC, to the very last piece and leave it like so .. that way you will have something to do the next day , maybe clean it out a little;
- re-read one / two / three of your childhood books;
- clean your house;
- sleeep :d
- drink lots of beer ( don’t combine with first idea )
- go to a movie marathon.

I think these will keep you busy for one day.

By: Mathew

Mathew — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:48:15 +0000

It’s really quite sad that when I went on holiday I was jumpy after being away from my computer and Internet access for 5 days…

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:50:58 +0000

I would think that the spirit of the experiment will hold up as long as the computer is used just for it’s DVD player functionality. Personally I now think that a more accurate description would be can you survive a day without internet. So I suppose it’s alright to use a computer as a fancy type-writer, but I’d stay away from online enabled game consoles.

Oh, and I will be in Toronto the for day, so it would have to be a party by proxy.

By: humanalog

humanalog — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 19:40:01 +0000

Thanks.

As for the proxy computer use: I’m doubting that there will be computer usage involved in my day if I am to participate, however I was wondering if it was in the spirit of the experiment if one were to enjoy a movie or somesuch on someone else’s computer (since many students don’t own actual television dvd/vcr set-ups). I imagine that it is not, but it is a gray area which may pop up.

Re: the epic quest: Will you be at home, or in this area?
(Since 81% of epic adventures require party based tactics and the strategic use of hats.)

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:42:23 +0000

@Emily – You’re right. It’s just like Apomb blogging through his cellphone for the Shutdown (cheater).

@humanalog – actual suggestions! You get a star. I shall consider an epic adventure, though it will most likely end up a series of mini-quests.

Yes, I think it’s not fair to view things on someone else’s computer. Or access a computer (an internet browser specifically) via other means, such as a cellphone (I’m looking at you Apomb). Getting a friend to use the computer on your behalf is gray area, but if any of your passwords are involved, it most likely means that you have serious dependency issues to be addressed.

By: humanalog

humanalog — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:23:34 +0000

I’ve gone a few days at a time without access, though presently I’m trying to find co-op placement, so I don’t konw that I’ll be participating in full.

As for starter ideas of what to do:

-Build a bomb shelter, GWtBW Green Army style: http://www.blastwavecomic.com/images/green.jpg

-If that matress is still laying behind your building, you could make a primitive shelter out of it and camp out back there.

-2 words: Foos – Ball.

-Go on an epic adventure. If it is a quest to boot you’re ahead of the game.

-People watch.

-Learn to cook something new.

-Video games or television in general.

-Spend it on a bus, or with your girlfriend.

-Kill zombies?

Also: does it count if you’re viewing things on someone else’s computer? :p

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:20:27 +0000

Except that there are other mediums to get information from. When I was at the camp I had to rely on the staff that went into the city to get supplies and things to tell me what was going on. There is also a lot more to do in a city.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:18:40 +0000

@Adam – next week I’ll be writing a reflective post on my computerless endeavours. Don’t forget to stop by and let us know how yours went. Good luck!

@Emily – good call. Though I suppose it’s a different idea to stay in the concrete jungle of the hyper communicative city, and choose not to participate with your computer for a day.

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:05:32 +0000

I survived two months without a computer, television, or radio. We had MP3 players, but only limited song selections. I was working at a summer camp in the middle of nowhere, and we were completely cut off from civilization. One day is nothing, unless I’ve got homework!

By: Adam C.

Adam C. — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:36:22 +0000

That is hilarious. The best part was the curling at the end.

A day without computers?? I honestly don’t think I can make it. We’ll see.