Gimme a (digital) break ✋
Escape from the internet 🕊
This is your weekly dose of short news about technology, digital media, and (un)popular opinions. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, subscribe here:
Hey strangers! Firstly, let me apologize… in case somebody noticed, you haven’t heard from me for almost a month. The reason is simple – I just wanted to take some time off from the internet. It wasn’t completely possible, because I still needed to work, but I could use some break from the neverending information flow (and oversharing on social media). Hi, doomscrolling! 📵
And I am not the only one – given the fact that the average daily screen time is continuously rising (people spend an average of 4.2 hours per day on apps on their phones), we are starting to search for screen-free time. How many times have you seen somebody talking about digital detoxing on the internet? I guess more than once.
The crazy fact is that we are now in front of a screen longer than we sleep – for UK adults the average screen time is 8 hours 41 minutes a day. Hearing this information, digital detox may sound like a necessity. It even has its own Wikipedia page.
The funny thing is that the pandemic kind of accelerated digital detoxication for everyone – according to Google Trends, there’s a +1 250 % increase in the search of „digital detox meaning“ during the last and this year. ↗
This digital detox topic is becoming so popular, that there is even a new smartphone free of social media and internet browsers on the market. It’s called „The Light Phone II“ and you can only use it for calls, texts, music, and podcasts playing (it has Bluetooth as well).
The line between „keeping up with the news and stay connected“ and „too many screens“ is, indeed, very thin. Don’t get me started on the side effects of the online world and social media. If you feel like your life is a mess when scrolling Instagram, don’t worry – (almost) everything’s fake! A new study revealed that no matter how strong is the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, not many people are actually living healthier. Pinterest users publicly pin healthy recipes, but in the end, they cook and eat unhealthy stuff anyway. 🍕🍔🍟
Last year, one of the first popular Youtube stars, British influencer Zoella, created #DigitalDetoxDay – on 5th September, people should stay off from social media or their devices. While it’s hard to measure the impact of this thing, many celebrities joined and supported this event. I can only guess this year it will be likely more popular.
If you’re interested to find out more about this topic, I recommend the book „Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World“ by Cal Newport. 📗
Latest Digi Snacks 🍩
🍪 Prepare for a space adventure
Jeff Bezos's rocket company, Blue Origin, is launching a first flight with a full human crew on July 20. And if you have enough money, you can be a part of it! One seat on the flight is being offered in a five-week online auction. 🚀
🍪 Print Michelangelo's David at home
The initiative called Scan the World makes 3D models of sculptures and other pieces of art available to the public. With its recent partnership with Google, they developed a collection of open-source 3D printable works of art that you can print yourself. Nefertiti's bust included. 🗿
🍪 What's up, YouTube?
Can you guess which welcoming phrase is the most popular for YouTube videos? More than 14% of videos are starting with these two words... Check it for more great insights and graphs. 🙋♀️
🍪 NFTs for everyone
eBay is now allowing NFTs to be sold on its platform, making the digital collectibles available side by side with physical ones. 🛍
🍪 The real Lightsaber is here
Watch out, Star Wars fans! Disney shows a short video of the new toy-laser sword which should be a part of the Galactic Starcruiser hotel in Florida in 2022. ⚔
🍪 History meets tech
The Colosseum in Rome is getting a new high-tech floor. Made of carbon fiber covered in sustainable wood, it promises to give visitors a gladiator’s view and can be tilted 90 degrees to reveal the tunnels underneath. 🏛
🍪 Another AR glasses are coming
Even though all the big tech companies are working on some sort of VR/AR glasses, Snap (Snapchat previously) outrun everyone. "Spectacles" displays AR effects made by Snapchat with built-in microphones and speakers. 👓
One recommendation 👌
Take a look at this website. Seriously, you’re not going to regret it. More pages like this plz!!!
source: screenshot from y-n10.com
One Fun Fact 😎
A virtual Gucci bag (which has no real value) in Roblox was sold for approx. $4,100, which is almost a thousand dollars more than the price of a real one. Keep an eye on this space, Gucci is doing big things there. 👜
source: lifestyleasia.com
That’s a wrap for issue no. 9! Did you like it? Feel free to share and your feedback is more than welcome.