Media Fast

NYC ERE · Post by **NYC ERE** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:45 am

Hey Y'all--
After an extremely unproductive long weekend + web/movie binge, I've decided to do a web/media fast of a sort for the next 52 weeks.
To quote from my StickK commitment,
"I commit to:
Stay off the web except for work, which includes:
1) 2x/day email + business admin (12pm, 4:45pm, 20-30 mins each),

2) getting directions (Google Maps, HopStop)

3) 1x/day Twitter (5 mins, no link-clicking)

4) 1x/week Facebook (10 mins, no link-clicking),

5) selling/getting rid of things on Amazon/eBay/Craig's List in March-April 2011,

6) 1x/day posting to blog, responding to comments (20 mins)
No podcast downloads, no torrents, no app downloads, no Netflix, etc."
It's a "fast" in that I'll be consuming much less than usual, but I'll still go to a movie or four every month, and I may even buy a newspaper or magazine from time to time.
I don't know where my blog will be--maybe zevaverbach.com. If you're interested, follow me on Twitter--"zevaverbach"--and I will post details there once it's up. If you want to be my StickK "supporter," (would be much appreciated!) let me know and I'll add you.

m741 · Post by **m741** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 12:35 pm

A year is awfully long to commit to at first, though I like the sentiment.
Will you still be checking ERE?

msrich · Post by **msrich** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:31 pm

I waste so much time online that I also need to make drastic reductions. I believe I have traded my television addiction for an internet addiction!
@Zev: I enjoy reading your journal and other comments and hope you continue to participate here at ERE.

aphorist · Post by **aphorist** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:17 pm

There are some handy browser extensions for limiting your web browsing, especially on time-wasting sites like YouTube.
LeechBlock for FireFox:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefo ... eechblock/
Chrome Nanny for Chrome:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/de ... ofpplhmcmn
StayFocusd for Chrome:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/de ... delahlfoji

George the original one · Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:23 pm

"LeechBlock"... heh-heh, I like the name.

akratic · Post by **akratic** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 7:37 pm

I have problems with over-consuming media as well. I have tried many things, but the only thing that has worked is:

- I do not own a TV

- and I do not own a computer or a smartphone
I have access to a computer at work, and I have a 1080p projector at home for movies.
I've found that I make much better choices with my time without access to the internet or a TV.

George the original one · Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:27 pm

It's only been 3 weeks and I'm missing Zev... 49 weeks to go (sigh).

hickchick · Post by **hickchick** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 3:00 am

Right on George.

msrich · Post by **msrich** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 3:01 am

me too.....