tech
Gen Z's new anti-tech rebellion: making eye contact and listening to each other
Members of the Luddite Club in New York City who gave up their smartphones say their lives are richer and allows them to be more present with others.
TL;DR
- Jameson Butler, a 19-year-old, switched to a flip phone during the pandemic and found her quality of life improved significantly.
- The Luddite Club, cofounded by Butler and Logan Lane, meets in New York City to discuss literature and life, emphasizing offline social connection.
- Members engage in activities like walks, scavenger hunts, and even smashing iPads to promote the value of an offline existence.
- The group's name is inspired by the historical Luddites who protested industrial machinery.
- Gen Z shows growing skepticism towards AI and social media, with a significant percentage reporting anger or concern about these innovations.
- While some members have completely abandoned smartphones, others are not dogmatically anti-technology, focusing instead on technology that is helpful.
- Some members still use smartphones or social media for practical reasons, like finding work or event information.
- The club emphasizes that true Luddism is not about rejecting all technology but about being selective and conscious of its impact on life.
- Meetings help members relearn basic social skills, such as making eye contact and being present in conversations, which they feel are diminished by technology.