Last night my parents and I went to a family wedding. At some point I saw my dad checking his emails, sitting next to the table. And then I heard him whispering angrily to himself “Phone Faced Down!”. He put down his phone, my mom smiled to herself, and we all went for a dance.
Ela Brayer-Faifkov, Tel-Aviv, Israel
In my studio I got no Internet connection. It’s part of my philosophy – separating the professional from the personal. So while working on my music, I’m never disturbed by emails or Facebook or anything similar. I can solely concentrate on my art.
Gilad Kahana, Creator, Tel-Aviv
My friends and I often go to live gigs. We decided not to take our smartphones to 90% of them. No video recorded, no photos taken, no tagging done, no check in. We wanna be 100% in the moment.
Omer Tessel, Tel-Aviv, Israel
It could be the best day of your life, girl. The Knight on a white horse might be on his way to meet you… but you will probably miss him, because all you do is stare at your iPhone…
All you do is stare at your iPhone
Shai Netzer, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Man, I hit rock bottom few days ago. I was travelling in Crete, and went to a Gyros place just because they had a free WiFi and the owners agreed to charge my dead iPhone under the bar. And I really don’t like Gyros you see…
Moran Kadussi, Tel-Aviv, Israel
“After our last talk about the Digital Diet, I dreamt that I sleep with ten smartphones around me in bed… they were so heavy I couldn’t move them around or even pick them up…
[still in the dream] I woke up, and then we had a discussion about the conspiration theory of how Apple, Google and Facebook intend to turn my pillow into a huge advertisement space, and that I will never be able to sleep again anymore!”
Tal Halevi, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Ciudad del este is located at the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, having a huge “tax-free” zone. While traveling in South America, I got there and had a full day to waste. I started creating a list of things I’d like to buy, comparing the prices between the different stores – all with the help of my precious iPhone. Then, while adding a new item to the list, I dropped my iPhone on the floor, and its screen cracked.
So I panicked.
When I went to repair my iPhone at the mobile-center, the technician took the phone, and told me: “Please come back in twenty minutes, and your iPhone will be ready”. I looked at him sadly, thinking: “but where would I go without my phone?!”
Adam Leisner, Tel-Aviv, Israel
I took my NoMoPhobia to the extreme… One of my friends nicknamed my smartphone “The Hook”. He even made a special sticker with this name for it…
They say the dog is the man’s best friend. For me, it’s the Smartphone (even though I do have a dog…)
Dana Zilberman, Tel-Aviv, Israel
I’m always sure that I’ve lost my iPhone. I leave it in my room, charging, then 3 minutes later I’m shouting: “OMG, where’s my phone?! I probably forgot it in the taxi again! Or maybe at work?! OMG!”
Shiran Vinter, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Last night I had a dream where I accidentally drilled a hole into my iPhone and basically ruined it.
I woke up screaming.
Shai Orbach, Tel-Aviv, Israel
For me, the iPhone had become a toxic compulsion. It had completed its invasion and occupation of my interstitial time — all those minutes riding the train, waiting in line, that used to be such fertile territory for daydreaming and storymaking.
Robin Sloan, Writer, California.
From an interview given to The Millions.
I’m about to go to Thailand with my wife in the summer for three weeks. And all I keep thinking about is – wow! I’m gonna have three weeks without Facebook! That is exciting!
Ran Segall, Tel-Aviv, Israel
My mom couldn’t communicate with her eight year-old granddaughter, because she’s stuck in her parents iPhone and iPad. Then she started e-mailing her, and now they communicate via emails better than ever.
Inbal Raveh, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Life is what happens when there’s neither Facebook nor Instagram
Orry Baum, Tel-Aviv, Israel
When I tell you I’m addicted to Facebook, don’t just tell me “then stop using it”.
That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard… Do you really think if you told an alcoholic to stop drinking, it will do the magic?
My Smartphone should be my helper, not my boss
UNDIGITIZE.ME 