Another reason to unplug: The DTV transition

It's seemed so far away for a long time, but the transition to digital TV is happening in 2009, and that's coming up soon.

"Wait, what transition?" I hear you cry.

Exactly. Half of American television watchers aren't aware they'll need new television sets soon. The full report is here (PDF).

With so many television stations, radio stations, cell phones, wireless networks and emergency systems using our airwaves (what's called spectrum), Congress has mandated that television stations stop broadcasting over the airwaves and instead use wires.

That's why, if you own an older television, the picture on some of your broadcast networks is starting to look a little choppy.

If you own an older television, you won't be able to pick up digital signals. You'll have to either buy a converter, or buy a new TV set.

At this point, I'm not really inclined to buy either.

Unfortunately, I'm in a small minority.

But, better TV has to switch to digital than to force some other industry to do it. Can you imagine if police and fire departments had to re-tool?

More on unplugging

Looks like I'm not the only one unplugging these days.

Arianna Huffington – who is making the bulk of her money doing things related to the online world – recently scolded a bunch of marketing professionals for not diving full-throttle into the online world.

And then she said people are getting so overwhelmed with all their gadgets and everything that the next technology trend is (drum roll please)...

Going offline.

Huh.

Unplugging at home

My life has become ridiculous kinds of complicated lately. I've been putting in overtime at work; I'm joining local organizations to boost my civic engagement; I'm doing more Web design and paper editing projects.

In my office job and in my freelance work, I spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen. When I was going home, I was spending more time in front of a computer screen, time in front of a television, and sometimes time in front of both.

I stopped writing entirely, and any time I sat down to write, I'd be distracted by e-mail, blogs, and a football game.

So I unplugged.

I called the cable company, and asked them to disconnect my television and Internet service. And my home phone, but that was secondary.

It's a lot more quiet in my house. I've been reading a lot. And I'm starting to write again – this here is proof of that.

And here's the kicker: I'm being more social. I have to be. I don't need to be online to write a blog post or design a Web page, but if I want to put either on the Web, I do have to be online. And now to be online, I have to go to a cafe. And that means that, even if it's one person, I have to talk to someone. So that's good.

If I want to watch a sporting event, I have to go to a bar that's showing it, and talk to people there.

If I want to watch a television show, I have to go to a friend's house and share it.

I could still plug my TV back in and watch a movie if I want, but I haven't wanted to.

What I've noticed in two weeks:

• My eyes aren't suffering as much strain as they used to
• I have less frequent headaches
• I'm talking a lot more softly and hearing a lot more loudly
• I'm listening to music
• Listening to radio shows and sporting events on the radio, I'm forced to use my imagination more, and that drives creativity
• I'm getting more exercise
• I'm exercising more will power
• I'm sleeping better
• I feel more in control over my body and my mind

Also, I'm saving about $120 a month, which can't be a bad thing, though I haven't had a month without that bill yet (the cable company swears my refund is coming for unused time, but I'm not holding my breath).

And you? How are you these days?