Think back to what you have done in the past 10 minutes. Odds are, you were checking your cell phone for messages, using a computer to check your e-mail, listening to your iPod, or utilizing other electronic media. I would have counted myself among you, until I chose to go without these luxuries for 24 hours.

I didn’t think I’d have too much trouble, but when I realized how many things were electronic, my choice of activities became extremely limited.

The idea came from Danna L. Walker, adjunct associate professor in residence of journalism at American University in Washington, D.C. She wanted one of her classes to understand the impact mass media devices have on their lives by going 24 hours without them. In her related article that ran in The Washington Post, the reactions ranged from accepting to unbearable.

I decided to go from noon to noon, because I had a morning meeting the second day that would burn the rest of the time spent disconnected from the world nicely. At the start of my 24 hours, I decided to walk around campus for a bit and see if I could run into any friends who had just moved back. Seeing none, I went to the library to find some books from my favorite author.Unfortunately, I didn’t see a way of finding books besides a computer search.

I decided some interpersonal contact was probably the point of this exercise, so I went to have a conversation with Michael Bugeja, director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, about my banishment from the modern world.

Bugeja has spent a considerable amount of time researching the effect of technology on this generation. He feels the level of technology we deal with is keeping us focused on “the next big thing,” instead of where we are right now.

“We have one of the most beautiful, award-winning campuses, with some architecture that is just fantastic, and all the time I see kids focused on their iPods and cell phones and just missing it,” he said.

Christopher Moe, sophomore in computer engineering, said this would be an interesting and challenging experience.

“It would definitely be hard, I think I could do it though. I don’t see much reason for me to try though, aside [from seeing] if I could,” he said. “I like to stay connected with others, and technology helps me do that.”

I won’t transcribe the rest of the experience, but here are some of the highlights:

• As I spent time walking around campus admiring the scenery, I walked by the marching band practicing. These guys have some dedication. I saw them spending a lot of time just focusing on marching in step.
• While reading a book borrowed from one of my roommates, I could swear that the TV was taunting me, daring me to turn it on. At that point, my cell phone buzzed in my pocket, and I resisted the oh-so-natural urge to flip it open and see who’s trying to talk to me.
• I realized one of my favorite shows is on that night about five minutes before my roommates, who knew about this project, kick me out of my reading chair in the living room because they wanted to watch said program.
• I spent time walking around campus for a few hours and admiring the scenery. Somehow, it helps me sleep better.

I would prefer not to do this again, but it didn’t go that badly. Taking the time to reflect on thoughts without new ones being crammed in was refreshing.