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Journal article

Disconnect to reconnect: The food/technology metaphor in digital detoxing

Abstract:
The idea of "going on a digital detox" arrives as a response to a proliferation of digital technology and a concern that this addictive form of sociality erodes meaningful or authentic connection. This paper explores concerns about our relationship with digital technology through a short ethnography of Camp Grounded: a Californian digital detox retreat and summer camp for adults. At Camp Grounded, digital detoxers conceptualise consumption of technology using a food parallel. While the brief connection or "snack" of a text message might temporarily satisfy, detoxers feel that waiting for a more nutritious face-to-face encounter will ultimately be more emotionally nourishing. This paper interrogates the food/technology metaphor to unpack its analytical limitations and the questions it prompts about the future of our relationship with digital technology.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.5210/fm.v22i6.7561

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
SSD
Department:
Oxford Internet Institute
Role:
Author


Publisher:
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
Journal:
First Monday More from this journal
Volume:
22
Issue:
6
Publication date:
2017-06-05
Acceptance date:
2017-05-23
DOI:
ISSN:
1396-0466


Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:702092
UUID:
uuid:cda9c630-67fc-4b50-a9d3-b821adac34b0
Local pid:
pubs:702092
Source identifiers:
702092
Deposit date:
2017-10-16

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