Can You Do Without Today?

I caught a really pointless segment this morning on The Today Show that involved taking the cell phone, laptop, and blackberry away from a managing editor at Forbes magazine. Apparently the producers over at Today have caught on to how popular these devices are. Based on the introduction, they also read somewhere that (egads) one in eight people are addicted to the internet. The result of this was a misguided experiment where they took all practical forms of communication away from a really busy guy who has a lot of important responsibilities and really needs this stuff.

My company newsletter had a story recently about an employee in the UK who has initiated discussions about limiting the use of E-mails and instant messages. His work group has actually had dedicated days without using either. The motivation was to focus more on interpersonal communications and working relationships than on the habit of overusing electronic messaging. There have been a lot of strong reactions both for and against the idea, and the discussion continues to evolve.

The Today Show segment, on the other hand, was a confusing dead end. It was the equivalent of noticing that a family of four uses a lot of electrical appliances and asking them to go a week without power. You are left with nothing but a mindless, reality show spectacle. Watching this poor guy hunt for pay phones and shuffle slips of paper marking all of his appointments had as much meaning as watching a housewife bash her family’s dirty clothes against rocks at the riverbank. The big payoff came when the guy started to cry, describing how his six year old wouldn’t be able to reach him without his cell while he was on a trip to Denver. Well done, NBC, I hope you’re satisfied!

The Today Show is now going to be extended an extra hour on top of their current extra hour. I understand that there is a market for soft, mindless entertainment, especially at that hour of the day. I’m just bugged when it masquerades as being "important."

Parenting item: I was chatting with a coworker today who informed me that her husband sleeps on the floor of their four year old daughter’s room every night. Apparently she more or less insisted on it one night, and it must not have sounded unreasonable to dear old dad. There are a million different parenting styles, but I will never understand the stuff that goes on with sleeping. I wouldn't take my daughter's suggestion that she have cookies for dinner, so why would I seriously consider, let along acquiesce to a request to sleep on her floor? They are both terrible ideas. Apparently this guy falls asleep in there, then wakes up at some point during the night and goes into his bed. You pick your battles, but I’d put all my troops on the line to not be held hostage by a four year old in her bedroom. I can’t even picture it. I would be so embarrassed to grab my pillows and some blankets and have to tell my wife, for one thing. And I couldn’t deal with the thoughts that would go through my head after closing my eyes. Maybe something like, “I’m a grown man who worked a full day, pays for this house and everything in it, and I’m being dictated to by a child where and when I can sleep.” Oh well, reap what you sow as they say.

I hope to have a special treat later in the week – an interview with a local celebrity. Stay tuned!