Could you take an email sabbatical?

I like danah's advice on how to actually take an email sabbatical. See: How To Take An Email Sabbatical - by danah boyd. However, I've never been able to do it completely. Even when I'm on vacation, I still check in for my email on a daily (usually more than once a day) basis.

And, having email on my mobile phone makes it so much easier to check email now! And, it makes it easier to get rid of junk email very quickly.

I suspect that my various projects would go on even if I didn't check in and respond to email queries, issues, etc. However, I don't know if they would proceed as smoothly if I didn't do this.

I hope to one day be able to do what danah suggests and take an email sabbatical. What about those of you who are tethered to your technological devices, could you take an email sabbatical? Or, for younger generations, a texting sabbatical?

State of the Blogosphere

I came across this report today as I was working on a book chapter (that is due in 2 days!). Interesting to see information on numbers, demographics, etc. of bloggers and blogging in general.

How Do ICTs Impact Your Relationships?

I am sitting here awake at almost 3 AM (don't ask why I'm awake at this hour!) and looking at some blogs that I haven't taken the time to peruse lately. There was an interesting blog posting in the Juggle from a week or so ago. The topic was 'doing marriage by email' (or something similar) - http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2008/06/12/conducting-marriage-by-email/.

Do you use email, texting, IMing, etc. in your relationships? If so, how often do you use it/them? And, what impact do you think using these information and communication technologies (ICTs for short) applications has on your relationships? And, how do the impacts vary as a function of the type of relationship (ex. spouse vs. friend vs. cousin who lives in Boise)?

ICT Use in Public Places

Today and last Tuesday morning I stopped by Panera Bread after dropping Callen off at school. I decided it would be nice to have a bagel and tea, and work a little while enjoying the atmosphere.

I've been amazed both times at (1) how busy Panera is at that time in the morning and (2) how many people are using information and communication technologies (ICTs) at Panera. It is nice that they have free wireless access so you can eat, work, and surf the web, check email, etc.

There has been such an interesting variety of people using ICTs in Panera each morning I've been there. There are some students, a range of young adults on a variety of cell phones and computers, and a good number of middle aged professionals (dressed in business attire) meeting in small groups, with their laptops, PDAs, etc.

I just wonder what jobs these people have and how mobile on the go they are. They all seem busy working when I've observed them.

Just some thoughts on a beautiful fall morning. . .