Embracing Mindful Technology Use with the Punkt. MP02
Finding Balance in an Always-On World
The Problem with Constant Connectivity
Mindful technology in an always-on world is hard. There’s an expectation of always being up to date, online if you will, and it goes hand in hand with our fear of missing out. That’s why notifications are the way they are, obtrusive and urgent, and not tailored after the urgency of the matter. We want it that way, or at least that’s what we thought in the social web’s infancy.
Taking Control of Notifications
I don’t allow many notifications to get through my settings these days. Text messages and phone calls (which I screen, like most people), that’s about it. I’ll tweak it after the situation, turning on notifications for crucial things when I’m traveling, that sort of thing. My phone is ever silent, ever not nagging me about things going on in the world.
The Grip of Social Media
Mindless Scrolling and Accessibility
That’s not to say that I won’t waste away on Reddit or Instagram when I have a moment’s downtime. While these platforms can’t nag me on their terms, I can still access them when I feel like it. More often than not, that’s less than a conscious decision and more of a compulsion. They’re that sticky, these apps and services. Suddenly they’re there, in front of me, scrolling away. It almost only happens on my phone because it’s always present, and there’s not much else I can do on it if I’m not up for reading a book or a saved article. I don’t get stuck with things like that on my iPad or computer. Sticky, that’s what it is.
Why Accessibility is the Real Issue
It’s the accessibility that gets me. It’s too easy to just scroll through some reels, then some more. That’s why I gladly took up the digital detox challenge. You see, I would love to ditch anything resembling a smartphone for a dumbphone. So I did, as best as I could, for six weeks or so.
Testing the Punkt. MP02 as a Dumbphone Alternative
A Minimalist Phone Experience
The Punkt MP02 is a delight, as was its predecessor. It feels good in the hand, it’s an enjoyable piece of tech that doesn’t try to be an everything box. Sure, you can send text messages, and even setup Signal through the Pigeon app, but honestly, it’s not a nice experience since there’s no proper keyboard. I’m old enough to type fairly fast on these types of phones (T9 FTW), but it’s still pretty horrible.
Realizing Instant Communication Isn’t Necessary
It turns out you don’t need to text people right this instance, at all times. It can wait until you get back home or get to the office, where there are computers and iPads more tailored for text communication than a mobile phone. For those moments that time really is of the essence (it happened three times, I think), you just call. Luckily, the MP02 is fine for phone calls. I even had a long talk once without bothering to figure out if I had a headset that would work with it. It’s easy to forget that we didn’t use to have a piece of warm glass against our ears back in the day. As a mobile phone, the MP02, and just about any other dumbphone I suspect, works just fine.
Living Without a Smartphone: The Ups and Downs
Enjoying the Moment Without Digital Distractions
Getting by in Stockholm, where I live, and on the countryside where I’ve spent most of my summer, without a smartphone is easy enough. By which I mean, it’s easy enough when you’re not working and being at a place where you can find your way. I’ve been to concerts, having drinks with friends, and enjoyed myself without missing all those smart features my iPhone has.
A New Relationship with My iPhone
Breaking the Social Media Habit
However, it breaks down when you’ve got work to do. I can’t book a taxi from the company we use reliably on the phone, I need the app, and the same goes for parking, online identification with government services, and two-factor authentication. All of these things are useful tools that reside inside the smartphone, they’re not the problem with the device. If that was all my iPhone had, there wouldn’t be a need for a dumbphone at all. As a result, for the days I’ve been working, I’ve carried both the MP02 and my iPhone. Interestingly enough, I got the same result, as in I’ve not mindlessly scrolled social media when I’ve been out and about. I forgot about the iPhone because that was not the phone, or device, foremost in my mind. That said, carrying multiple phones feels silly. It defeats the purpose, I’d say.
A New Relationship with My iPhone
Breaking the Social Media Habit
Work is in full force, and has been for several weeks at least when you read this. I’m not using the MP02 as my primary phone on workdays. It’s just not practical. I need the tools in my iPhone. However, I do find myself using my iPhone differently. Taking a break from it, possibly even just for a weekend, can change your habits. Now, if I wait for someone to arrive, I might use my iPhone for work (emails and the like), or I’ll read something. I rarely open social media on it, not even when I’m too tired to get something done. I look at people and do nothing instead. That’s what the MP02 made me do, stay in the moment, contemplate things because there’s nothing fun happening on the phone. It’s just a phone.
The Appeal of a Weekend Phone
I get people who use the MP02 as a weekend phone. It can certainly work as that, for me too, assuming I’m not driving somewhere and want the car features from my iPhone. If you don’t need all the tools, why carry them? I guess that reasoning might make more sense if they were physical objects, but there is some sort of added weight to all the non-healthy distractions in a smartphone. It’s easier to stay in the moment if you can’t get lured away, after all.
Conclusion: The Balance of Mindful Technology Use
In the end, it’s all about balance. Not everyone cares about their social media addiction, but for those of us who do, taking a break without disconnecting from the world entirely is a good thing. Go on, try it.
Thord D. Hedengreen is the writer of the blog: THE BORED HORSE.