Students at The Webb Schools (Claremont, CA), in Dr. Gail Lewis’ American Literature class, recently set aside their technology to gain experience and insight into Thoreau’s arguments regarding the transcendent nature of a simple life.

Dr. Lewis asked her students to disconnect for 36 hours- not long, but long enough to feel the withdrawal when you’re used to constant and continual information streams.

To insure honestly everyone checked their cell phones, “so they wouldn’t be tempted.” A student turned the phrase, “the removal of the modern-day pacifiers.” (Rediscovering The Simple Life, The Webb Schools)

Over the shock of their disconnection and removal of their pacifiers, students discovered a level of self-reliance (no electronic alarm clock on your cell phone)- with time to think slowly, broadly, and read- that they appreciated.

“In today’s complex society, Thoreau’s message about simplifying life seems like something that could only happen in the distant past. This exercise enabled students to free themselves from technology and to look into themselves without the surround of chatter,” Dr. Lewis explained. (RSL)

My favorite observation:

One student “enjoyed saying goodnight to her boyfriend in person, rather than via text message.” (RSL)

By the end of the experiment Dr. Lewis says students “…were disappointed that the project was to last only 36 hours, and tried to convince me it should be longer.”

Even in our world of instant information (too much, suspect, high quality and constant feed), Thoreau and the transcendentalists continue proving their worth.

There is still something about the contemplative, still, undistracted, quiet mind.

Photo credit: The Webb Schools

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