I kept telling myself: this was only an experiment. If it was completely impractical, I could always switch back

It’s not like I took out an ad in the paper about my plans (I guess these days we would say, “It’s not like I posted it as my status”), but as people began to realize I was switching from a smartphone to a basic model, reactions varied. The spectrum ranged from good-natured jealousy — “I wish I could do that; good for you” — to mild distain — “Life is complicated enough, why would you make things harder for yourself?”

I also saw a lot of defensiveness, which surprised me; I never expect anyone to do what I do, nor do I necessarily think it’s right for everyone to downgrade their tech use so quickly and dramatically (though I am willing to go out on a limb and say it’s probably right for more people than would admit it).

A couple of my friends expressed surprise and even mild disapproval at my “defection,” saying, “Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to show us how we can live with technology instead of renouncing it?”

Nope, not me! I was never the role model for perfect tech use, probably because it’s not possible to use technology with zero negative effects. More importantly, I don’t intend to live without technology. I have an updated laptop and an iPhone, which could now, I suppose, be used as an iPod or a camera.

Camera. Wait! What about pictures?!

And Waze?

And Uber?

One thing I kept telling myself: this was only an experiment. If it was completely impractical, I could always switch back.