Could You Do Without Technology?

Dennis Neal, an editor for Forbes Magazine, volunteers for a special NBC news report to attempt a week without modern technology (cell phone, PDA, email, voice mail, etc.). He felt that this would be a good experience and would force him to have more “face time” with his business contacts.

Before he even gets started, he is in contact with the producer asking if the week can be put off due to “a crisis”, but his request is denied. On his first day, he is running late and has no cell phone to call in with leaving business contacts boggled and “miffed”. Dennis admits at the end of his first day that it was very difficult, but that he also felt very uncomfortable to not have his cell phone, citing his young daughter’s potential need to contact him.

As of the beginning of day two of the “experiment”, Dennis had 91 unread emails and 19 missed calls, including several voice mails from his daughter. Dennis explains that with technology, he is able to utilize his commuting time to be productive. Instead of writing emails on the subway, Dennis is forced to find quarters and a working payphone. The payphone experience is very frustrating for Dennis between inoperable payphones that eat his change and the lack of cleanliness. At lunch, Dennis expresses his lack of planning and scheduling ability without his PDA showing his friend his new “planner” (a piece of note paper) and its limitations. It is becoming obvious just how reliant on technology Dennis is.

The final straw for Dennis is a scheduled speech in Colorado. He is very upset that his daughter will not be able to call him and even breaks down crying after only 40 hours. After it is over, in discussing the experience, Dennis compares the feelings of not having his technology to the feeling a four year old child might have when they loose their teddy-bear. Dennis claims he even experienced physical symptoms like anxiety and tightness in his chest as a result of being “disconnected”.

Technology has become a tacit part of our work and social lives. 81% of Americans use the Internet with nearly 13% being addicted to using it. 78% of adults use cell phones and 49% feel they are a necessity. We have become a society of connectivity with family members and business contacts alike having little patience when waiting for a return call or email. In addition, our global economy requires business contacts from around the world to be able to work together and communicate efficiently – something that is not possible without cell phones and the Internet.

In the first day alone, Dennis missed numerous emails and phone calls in addition to bouncing checks because he could not manage his bank account online. The big questions, as asked in the video case is, “How long would you last?”

Questions for Discussion

1. Could we as a society survive now if we suddenly lost all of our modern technology? How would you cope and what would you miss most?

2. Does technology help or hinder the personal aspect of communication in a business setting? Is it good for business?