You'll notice that none of these activities lend themselves, per se, to technology. But there's a reason for that. Although technology can often enhance our lives, too often it distracts from what's really important. In severe cases—and I'm talking to you, gadget geeks—technology becomes a goal, and not an enabler. That's wrong and sad. So, I'd like to present a few general thoughts about the coming summer months and the ways you can make sane uses of technology at a time when you should be thinking about more important things.

Lose the Cell Phone
If you're at a beach, a movie, or any other public place, leave your cell phone home, or at least in the car. Enabling vibrate mode doesn't count. Yes, it's irritating when people around us are blabbing away on cell phones while we’re trying to relax. But it's even more irritating when we're the ones blabbing. If you need to be available to work all the time, you're a tool, not a person. You're not a tool, are you?

Unplug the iPod
Yeah, we get it: You're a living, thriving member of iPod Nation. Congratulations. Now, take off the ear buds and take a listen to the soothing sounds of a nature walk or rolling waves on the beach. You don't have to be bombarded by carefully crafted playlists all day long. Give your ears a rest. They need it.

Bring the Laptop, but Open It Sporadically
For many of us 24/7 Americans, no vacation is complete without broadband wireless and an open laptop. That's pathetic, but I understand that many people can't simply drop work for days at a time. If you have to bring your laptop with you, make sure your head isn't jammed up against the screen all the time. See those little people in the room with you? They're your kids. See if you can remember their names. Then, we'll move on to their favorite ice cream flavors.

Read a Book
OK, if it must be an eBook or even an audio book on an MP3 player, fine, I'll make that concession. However you do it, try to spend a little time getting to know the world around you or losing yourself in a mystery novel. If you don't continue to learn, you stop living. Your spreadsheets and email will be waiting for you in the office when you return.

Be Outside
You say you can't afford that Disney World dream vacation? Can you afford to simply hang out in your yard or visit the park up the street? Yes? Then get outside! Natural light—and let's face it, a bit of physical activity—will do you some good. Toss a ball around. Mow the lawn. Do some yard work. Go swimming. Whatever.

Do More With Less
I've spent a lot of time over the past few months divesting myself of unneeded and unused technology. That means my office is less cluttered and my life is simpler. If you haven't picked up a particular device, booted up a PC, or launched a video game in a few months, maybe it's time to get rid of it. Heck, you could always donate old technology to family or friends, or even sell your stash on eBay. Just don't do it while it's nice outside.

My Plan
My plan for this summer is the same as last year: We're going to spend afternoons and early evenings at the beach every day we can, cook out a lot, and go on a few small trips with the kids. Not everyone lives near a beach like I do, of course, or has the same schedule. But whatever you do, involve family and friends and leave technology out of it. Technology will always be there. But summer doesn't last forever.

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last year this dope was telling us about all the devices he takes when he goes across the country with his kids.... what a bunch of bullfucking ****. traveller -June 8, 2005 Hey traveller, maybe he finally figured it out. Way to go, Paul! rwalton -June 8, 2005 Thanks for this. More people need to learn to balance technology with more important things. Note: That thing next to you is NOT a bih monitor, it's called a window. The wallpaper is actually the outdoors with sunshine, trees, etc. Put down the joystick/keyboard/pda and go live a little. toad -June 8, 2005 Well said, Paul. I and my family take a 1-2 week vacation every summer where we all go somewhere to get away - Chicago, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, whatever. We take the cell phones to keep in touch with each other when we separate (not for work). I do take a laptop to quickly check e-mail a couple of times during vacation, and we all use it to get information on what we're going to do the next day. No one, and I mean NO ONE, is that important that they can't spend some time with what (who) is really important. Jim -June 8, 2005 I like to unplug on vacation too, Paul. Good for you! I do tend to keep the iPod around, but with a pair of speakers to share with friends and fam while we do whatever, but definately shed the rest. DWFloyd -June 8, 2005 I just back from a vacation. It was great, very relaxing. I took my Laptop, we left the cells at home. During 'downtime' I had wired broadband access in my room, and wireless in the lobby areas. It was great to be able to hop online and check back with friends, email them photos of the day, FTP the day's digital photoshoot back home for safe keeping, and use the web to try to explrore what was in the area where we stayed. In the rent-a-car I used it with my GPS unit for navagation. In short, being able to have the technology along with me was more of a benefit than it was a distraction. I had my laptop open quite a bit. But, I'm sure you figured out the common theme here. The laptop and internet were not used for work, it was used for fun. Using your laptop on vacation for work is just plain stupid, you might as well stay at work. Jed S -June 9, 2005 Cell Phones are part of LIFE iPod's are part of music <<Life... Vacation can have life in it! iPod's are comfortable and cell phones are good for communication. SCREW leaving the electronics at home! conrizzad -June 13, 2005 I was at a Jimmy Buffett show last week, and about every 3rd person there was on a cell phone -- whatever happened to having your experiences first, then telling everyone about them LATER? I was embarrassed to be a yuppie. Lisa -June 22, 2005 Good article, but leaving a cell phone at home when your vehicle breaks down or you get lost in the vicinity of your destination generates a very uncomfortable situation. I might take a laptop along to check out activities or driving routes (my PDA isn't wieless yet), but I store personal information, phone numbers for friends and services (airlines, hotels, etc.) on that PDA and would be lost without it. On the other hand, my out of office message and out of office sharepoint entries specify that I can't be contacted when on vacation or long weekend :) Philip -June 22, 2005 Thanks. Loved the article. I am a director of I.T. who just got back from vacation last night. Went backpacking, camping, kayaking and spent 11 days outside. I intentionally go places that rarely get cell phone service so that my office cannot call (but bring the cell phone incase of a bear attack or whatever - you never know; it could be a life saver if you have a problem and happen to get service). I did bring an MP3 player with travel speakers and extra battery for my husband and me to listen to around the campfire, but I understand the gist of your article and agree with it. There is life out there without electronics and technology! The world is a beautiful place, and we should not allow technology to make us forget that. Linda -July 6, 2005 Your Comments (required): Frank Johnson -July 26, 2005 Good service FRANK -July 28, 2005 Loved your article. Friends and coworkers will be there when you return. Don't spend valuable exploration time emailing pics home. Most likely the people you are emailing are busy working or doing school work, leave them alone. Let them pay for their own vacation if they want one. Vacations are short enough as it is and most people only get one a year. Why would you spend half your time "sharing" especially if you paid good money for your vacation? Cell phones are for communicating with people who didn't bother to come on vacation with you. Maybe if you don't speak to them for a week or two, they will try harder to come along next time. If you are talking to remote people then you AREN'T interacting with the locals or other tourists. Meeting new people is half of what a vacation is about - hearing new dialects, finding out how other people live and in exchange, being given tips on secret spots to explore. You create animosity by having a cell glued to your ear. You are telling people your ears are turned off to them. You don't need a satellite navigation system if you use your mouth and ears to speak with the locals. You would never think about ripping your home phone out of the wall and taking it with you would you? Save the cell for road emergencies or deaths in the family. Debbie -January 30, 2007 READER COMMENTS: We want to hear what you have to say about this article!     Acceptable Use Policy Your Comments (required): Your email is only used if our editors need to contact you. It is not used or stored for any other purpose, nor posted with your comments. 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