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• Reading 6-1: Supersaturation, or The Media Torrent and Disposable Feeling
• Reading 6-2: Prest-o! Change-o!

Take a 24 hour moratorium (holiday?) from digital technology and media. Somewhere in the period between the last class (Jan. 25) and this one (Jan. 30), go for 24 hours without using a computer, television, radio, cell phone, pager, camera, PDA, digital music player, and so forth. If it uses a battery, then don't use it. Land line telephone use is ok. Come to class on Jan. 30 prepared to talk about your off-line, media-free day of liberation.

READ:

You There, at the Computer: Pay Attention. The New York Times, February 10, 2005.
Scientists are studying the problem of diminished attention that results from technology's many distractions.

HAVE A LOOK:

Climb In, Log On, Drop Out. The New York Times, May 14, 2006.
In the world's most media-saturated city, people take a break by checking themselves into media immersion pods.