Extra Credit - A Day Without Modern Technology - BAI SHIQI

 A Day Without Screens: Rediscovering the Depth of Reading

The Experiment

I spent an afternoon and evening at home with only books—no phone, no internet, no distractions. Just paper, ink, and time.  

Key Observations

1. Slowness as a Gift

   - Without notifications or scrolling, my mind settled into the book’s rhythm.  

   - A single chapter stretched like an afternoon, each sentence given space to breathe.  


2. The Return of Physicality

   - The weight of the book, the sound of pages turning—small details that screens erase.  

   - Highlighting with a pencil felt more intentional than digital annotations.  


3. Boredom’s Quiet Magic

   - At first, I missed the dopamine hits of quick clicks.  

   - Then, the stillness became fertile ground—ideas sprouted where distractions once grew.  

The Realization

Reading offline wasn’t just about removing technology. It was about reclaiming **depth**—the kind that forms when words aren’t competing with algorithms.  

Final Thought

The best books don’t just entertain; they demand our full presence. And sometimes, that presence requires turning away from the world to listen.  


Comments

  1. Shao tianyiJune 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM

    I really enjoyed reading your reflection, Bai Shiqi. The way you described slowing down and reconnecting with the physical act of reading really resonated with me. I especially liked your line about boredom being "fertile ground"—it’s such a fresh way to think about something we usually try to avoid. Your experience reminded me that maybe the real value of books isn't just in their content, but in the kind of attention they ask from us. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful piece—it made me want to log off and pick up a book too.

    ReplyDelete

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