Live in the Moment

👉 This is part of The Pervasive Now

Whilst our lives and attention are tied to the small screen, we’re consciously choosing to revel in the presence that comes with disconnection.

Evidence A: Drawing the Line Around Online

The online world has naturally bled into every corner of the offline, but now we’re introducing boundaries to protect areas of life that benefit from the divide. Artists are asking audiences to go phone free and enjoy the live show. Meanwhile, dumb phones are trending, as people untether themselves beyond the typical digital detox and navigate workarounds for a world built on digital.

Evidence B: Who Deserves to Live in the Moment?

Pioneered by French legislation back in 2016, Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman is introducing the right to disconnect in 2024 to protect employees from the omnipresence of emails and Slack notifications. The question of who has this right goes further than the workplace. Some argue that to live offline is the ultimate form of privilege: only those with relative power can disconnect from the demands of society without repercussion.