Meetup, the world’s largest network of local groups, is running a clever viral campaign to promote its services.
The ‘terrestrial’ social network, which helps people organize and find local groups, crafted an initiative called UnplugYourFriends.com. Here, they reference an epidemic called: Screen Addiction where electronic screens invade every corner of your life. The campaign is marked by an adorable animated video demonstrating how we’ve become a hyper-connected society consumed by screens and gadgets and not enough real life interactions.
I wrote about a similar condition in my post The New Normal Is Not So Normal back in June. It’s called, Constant Partial Attention Disorder (CPAD).
Meetup’s campaign resonated with me because I think it taps into a simple human truth — Americans are out of control and need to reengage in life again. Between e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, AIM, etc. we rarely lift our heads up from our iPhones to smell the roses anymore.
On that note, it’s time for me to disconnect. Until tomorrow my friends.
Stumble It!
The Third Place 
Are we really out of control or are the mores and practices of our culture shifting faster than they ever have before? It’s much more exciting to imagine that this is a time of dynamic change in our behaviors. We may not have gotten it right yet, but we will – this our culture trying a ‘new normal’ on for size. When it comes to connectivity and digital lives, normal is increasingly a term realtive to age.
Josh,
Thanks for your thoughtful and intelligent response.
You may be right. The new normal may be relative to age. But with age wisdom often follows.
I don’t claim to be sage or omnipotent; however, I can tell you that while I love and embrace technology, I don’t want to die with a lap top or cell phone by my side.
I’d rather have peace of mind in knowing that I truly connected with friends, family and loved ones through human touch and experiences.
This shouldn’t preclude one from using technology to stay connected. I’m simply promoting balance.
As a member & Organizer with Meetup.com, I thought the Unplugged video missed the mark.
The beginning had good stuff; the dark surroundings with many different screens. The long dark crawl should be shortened up, and the end is where the creators missed the point: ‘Henry’ standing around looking bemused.
I would prefer that Henry engage with the people he saw in the sunlight, that activities were suggested and that the character be shown interacting with others in stead of standing there looking lost.
It was too long and not ‘cute’ enough to send to friends.
JMO
KarenL