Unit 1 Digital Storytelling: Creative Experiment On, Off, and Obsessed Part 1
Deciding to "exit" my technology turned out to be less of a peaceful departure and more of a collision with reality. I intended to leave my devices behind for a full 24 hours, but the "art of leaving" quickly devolved into chaos. It lasted exactly one hour. As soon as I turned everything off, I noticed that the technology that I use isn't just a distraction; it is the foundation of how I live. I tried to engage with the physical world, but hit a wall every time: I couldn't run errands because I rely on my car’s GPS; I couldn't read because my book was an audiobook; and I couldn't even enjoy a walk without the soundtrack of a podcast to keep me focused. The silence wasn't liberating; it felt like watching paint dry.
What I noticed most during this hour was the physical "itch" of withdrawal. Even though I wasn't using my phone, I found myself searching for it, eventually keeping it in my pocket just to feel its weight like a security blanket. I spent the final minutes staring at a bird feeder, feeling stressed and bored, wondering why I had done this to myself. This experiment proved that I don't just use tech; I depend on it as a crutch to filter my reality. Next time, I realized I would need a concrete plan, like a hike with friends, because "winging it" left me staring at the ceiling, waiting for the moment I could turn the signal back on.
Unit 1 Digital Storytelling: Creative Experiment On, Off, and Obsessed Part 2
Description: Watching Paint Dry is a reflection on the Creative Experiment On, Off. I decided to take the metaphor "watching paint dry" literally. This acrylic painting uses an abstract, chaotic background to represent the restless anxiety I felt while unplugged. The focal point is the birdfeeder, painted bright red. It’s not just a bird feeder; for me, it represents my red phone, the only thing my brain could focus on amidst the mental noise.
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