It’s not legendary, nor is it original. Henry David Thoreau did this back in 1845. As for the need to formulate a sharp and enlightened view of life without the internet and the ever-present cell phone, just ask anybody over the age of 25 who can still remember the ancient past of the late 80s and early 90s.
Paul’s views on life are shaped by the people he hangs out with, who are apparently unapologetic about using their cell phones without consideration for those around them. I live in Japan, which still has the highest penetration of cell phones in the world (and with it, the internet), and my friends will ask before using their phones in the company of others, and apologize if it’s necessary.
Social disconnect is enabled by cell phones, but take them away and those with the tendency to block themselves off from others are bound to find an alternative outlet (comic books, novels, video games, whittling, whatever).
This experiment is self-indulgent, unoriginal, and at best good for a few more page clicks than usual. Skimming over the article turned up nothing that couldn’t already be found by reading the kinds of books they assign you in high school English, or as mentioned, talking to a few people that comprise the vast majority of humanity over the age of 25 and who doesn’t suffer the first-world problems of a tech writer in New York City.
