A digital detox podcast

A digital detox podcast

Listen to the podcast about doing a digital detox to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

Presenter: So, we're back in the studio. Welcome back, everyone. My name's Rick Walker. From our laptops to our televisions, from the displays on our smartphones to those on our satnavs, we are in front of screens all the time. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to disconnect completely? To choose not to have access to the internet? If you have, you may be in need of a digital detox – a total switch-off from all things digital. The idea of people taking a digital detox is becoming more and more popular, especially amongst young people – and today we're joined by someone who's tried a number of digital detox activities and is here to give us some advice about it. Amanda Vince, welcome to the studio.

Amanda: Thank you very much.

Presenter: So, Amanda, you work for a fashion magazine in London, right? I guess your work means you need to be online a lot.

Amanda: Oh, yes. Apart from the hundreds of emails I get every day, I'm always browsing fashion websites, as well as online videos. I also need to be very active online, especially on Twitter and Instagram – sharing what we're doing in the magazine, interacting with designers, photographers, influencers … it never stops, literally. Then of course there's my friends and family to keep in touch with online too, and for me, my work grew out of my passion, so friends and work colleagues aren't two totally separate groups of people and it all gets a bit messy online sometimes. I think I'm online for at least 12 hours a day.

Presenter: So, how did you get the idea for a digital detox?

Amanda: I read a book about it, called Log Off: How to Stay Connected after Disconnecting. The author's name is Blake Snow. That book gave me some really good advice and made me think about trying to change some of my digital habits. I started with removing distraction.

Presenter: What do you mean by that?

Amanda: That means turning off alerts, buzzes, alarms or notifications of any kind. I had notifications set up for everything, and it meant I was always being forced to look at my phone. Removing all of them except for important contacts helped me focus immediately. The book also made a really good point, that we should ask ourselves 'Why?' every time we take out our phone. I realised that most of the times I looked at my phone were because I was trying to avoid or ignore something else happening right in front of me. It was an automatic habit.

Presenter: I have to confess, that happens to me too. But what else are you going to do when you're standing in line at the bank or waiting for your train?

Amanda: OK, yes, I'm the first to admit that it's great for helping time go by. But speaking personally, I found I wasn't just checking my phone to kill time when I was alone. I was also doing it with friends or family around.

Presenter: Hmmm … right. Well, so far, this doesn't sound too drastic. Turning off notifications and becoming aware of when we use our devices. That sounds easy.

Amanda: Yes, it's the first step. Once we begin to realise just how much of a grip our devices have on us, then we're ready to really take the next step. First, my partner and I did a weekend with absolutely no screens. She found it easier than I did. For me, it was a little bit scary at first but it turned out to be a pretty rewarding experience.

Presenter: A whole weekend, huh? I don't know if I could ...

Amanda: I think everyone has to do this at their own pace. If a weekend feels too much, maybe just try for an evening. Then work your way up to more. I guarantee, once you've tried it, you'll want to try it again. We're going to try for a whole week in the summer.

Presenter: OK, let's pause there then and see what our listeners have to say. You can call us here directly, or send us a message on any of our social media channels ... oops, should I be saying that? Anyway, more after the break. 

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

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Average: 4.2 (86 votes)

Submitted by Hung on Thu, 19/12/2019 - 03:11

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Hi, I have some questions, please help me, thank you! Amanda: ......The book also made a really good point, that we should ask ourselves 'Why?' every time we take out our phone. ---What does the "that" mean? Amanda: OK, yes, I'm the first to admit that it's great for helping time to go by.--- "the first" means? Presenter: ......Turning off notifications and becoming aware of when we use our devices. --- becoming aware of what? and why does the presenter use Ving form (turning off and becoming)?

Hi Hung,

In your first example, 'that' introduces a noun clause with an appositive function. Appositive means restating an idea to make it clearer or more specific. Here, the 'a really good point' is restated in the that-clause to make it specific and clear.

 

In your second example, the phrase 'becoming aware of...' is followed by its object. The object could be a noun, a noun phrase or a clause. Here, it is a subordinate clause.

becoming aware of + object

becoming aware of when we use our devices

The -ing form is used after the verb mean when we want to express the result of an action:

I have to visit my mother tomorrow. That means leaving at 7.00 in the morning.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

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Submitted by Rafaela1 on Wed, 18/12/2019 - 12:59

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Having sauna is a good detox! (; ̄ー ̄川
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Submitted by fidaasiddig on Sat, 14/12/2019 - 06:15

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I think it's difficult for me to a digital detox (my phone basically) because I'm not just use it for fun , I'm like most of the people my phone work as a teacher , ads port , and keep my in touch with important people and more But to be honest I feel a large relief and relaxation whend my phone broke down or hasn't been charged

Submitted by HelianG on Thu, 14/11/2019 - 22:28

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yes,I think I am able to stay without my phone for a weekend,I think that digital detox is important and everyone should give it a try.

Submitted by Irina07 on Sun, 13/10/2019 - 11:03

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I totally agree with the fact that a digit detox is a wonderful idea and everybody should take this change into consideration. This fast pace of modern life has detrimental effects on people and all the gadgets are more harmful than useful. All of us have to use them when it is compulsory, for instance keeping in touch with some friends who are far away or for job purposes. Spending all your day in front of screens distracts your attention from this beautiful world and makes you be stuck in an unreal, imaginary universe.
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Submitted by Rafaela1 on Wed, 02/10/2019 - 09:11

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My twitter says, " Something is technically wrong. Thanks for noticing—we're going to fix it up and have things back to normal soon." Can't help but do a digital detox... (╥﹏╥)

Submitted by nikisyazwani on Mon, 30/09/2019 - 06:15

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I have completed the lesson for A Digital Detox. The level I chose was Upper Intermediate B2.
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Submitted by kamicounciler on Tue, 17/09/2019 - 20:17

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i should say that digital detox seems great.i believe that most of the people spend too much time on digital space.The ease of access to milions of digital contents just by a phone has caused us to waste our time,time that can be used to think and imagine more instead.