Although I like social media, it has allowed me to connect with people I otherwise would not have the time to keep up with, I do believe those obsessed are truly becoming unable to cope with a true social environment,
Interesting project. How does a person get a gig like this? I am in Atlanta and would like to be a part of a project like this. Not that long ago, there was Man in Box on justin.tv. A guy lived in a box for 30 days, just a cam on him, but he couldn’t see anyone else. I can’t recall if he had access to a computer. It would be interesting to see how the public reacts to someone who isn’t 20-something and still the 20-something level of attractiveness. I have an idea they might not be so kind through the window.
It’s strange to know that you are there, in that glass box, a few miles away, reading this. Weird; more so for you I’m sure. Anyway, I have a few questions and thoughts that I would hope a project like this would bear out.
You are in a unique position to both consider and experience how a sociology of knowledge shapes our view of the world. In other words, what does the context in and through which we live and interact do to how we understand the world, form ideas and relate? It’s the Wall-e and Fahrenheit 451 question.
I’ve always found it really interesting that some of the people I respect most in the world, whose writing I still read, whose poems seem to capture the whole world in a line, never traveled more than a few hundred miles and never had these ‘tools’ for communication. Take Jesus for example. It makes me wonder, are we diluting ourselves by spreading our presence out to the masses? Or is there much of a presence to begin with? Are we trading a real relationship of self-giving love with the few, for a self-promoting, carefully manicured facade that nobody can break, because nobody can get close enough to throw a stone?
I saw that you were two miles away because of CNN. And now, I’m taking time write this, even though I will never meet you. And, you will read it. That alone say’s more than I would care to admit. Not all bad maybe, but probably.
I just saw your project reported on CNN. Although I may not totally understand all your reasons for doing this, it seems to me that it is disingenuous to call this an “isolation” project when clearly you are not cut off from anyone. If people are permitted to stroll by and wave or hold up notes or use sign language, etc., how exactly are you isolated? Admittedly, living in a small room and not having in-person verbal conversations for a month is a different experience, but I don’t think you’re really understanding what it’s like to be cut off from people. Some of us older folks could go a month without any digital media whatsover no problem. I’m not sure you could do that 🙂 Just my thoughts. Good luck!
The photo of those two children showing notes to you is precious. It restores my hope in the youth of 2010. Thanks for sharing that photo and your project as a whole.
I too was directed here by CNN. What an interesting experience! My Mom used to make fun of me all the time for playing on my iphone so much….that is, until SHE got one! Now she’s all sorts of addicted to that stupid thing. I wish you the best in this project, and I hope the weather is beautiful and fresh and happy for you when you get out again!
This is great! The one thing that I have noticed looking through all of your blog posts is how amazingly happy everyone looks when they look in at you! Maybe social media isn’t a bad thing, look how happy all the people outside the walls look! Social media has made me a stronger person, and not a weaker one. I do a VLOG about my running goals every week and I think it has made me a better person? However, looking at the pictures of you in the box is a sad thing, but it’s amazing when you think about the response. Your exhibit is definately a hoo-rah to doing things! excellent job! (I too was directed by CNN, lol)
I saw the article about your project on CNN today. Very interesting and I think a very important topic – something I’ve been thinking a lot about. I hope you do an overall reaction at the end and follow-up to how you feel to be “out of the box.” Social networking and the web provide a lot of opportunities for us to evolve, but I often wonder at what point to we devolve?
I’m curious – do you feel like the conversations you’ve had during the project have been quick / short or has there been opportunity for in depth, substantial conversations? I feel like we miss out on having ‘real’ conversations when our lives revolve around Facebook, texting, etc…
As an aside, I was pleased that the notes from your visitors that you’ve posted use real words vs. idk, lol, omg, imho, etc… that’s the other social networking topic that keeps me up at night. 🙂
Hello PIP followers,
I just wanted to let you all know that Cristin has been inundated by electronic messages of all kinds and is fairly overwhelmed right now.
She appreciates your support, so please don’t take it personally that she won’t be able to reply to all of y’all.
And for god’s sake, it’s not a ‘storefront’, it’s a gallery!
When I read your story on CNN, it made me feel like crying. I understand that feeling of isolation and over accessibility all wrapped up in one. I hope you are doing well, you’re almost done.
@Liora-Make your own. That’s what we did. I think you are right depending on who the person is can cause different reactions.
@Jeff- You raise a good point it may be harder to go without technology, but I am starting to think not for me. I am not isolated in a traditional sense. This is a metaphor for how many people live their lives today. I write more about how and way we did this project the way we did in earlier blog posts.
@Amy B.-You are right social media can bring many positive things. Josh and I are avid users ourselves, we just want people to take note of their use.
@Brenda-I feel like I have had a few longer conversations over Skype mostly that have had more meaning. But generally speaking, most of my conversations are short.
@Michelle-Thank you for your concern. Thankfully, this is only something I am doing for 30 days. I know that there are many people out there that feel isolation every day.
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:27 pm
wow, front page of CNN.com, you go Cristin!!
November 22nd, 2010 at 9:26 pm
I love what you are doing!!!!!
Although I like social media, it has allowed me to connect with people I otherwise would not have the time to keep up with, I do believe those obsessed are truly becoming unable to cope with a true social environment,
November 22nd, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Interesting project. How does a person get a gig like this? I am in Atlanta and would like to be a part of a project like this. Not that long ago, there was Man in Box on justin.tv. A guy lived in a box for 30 days, just a cam on him, but he couldn’t see anyone else. I can’t recall if he had access to a computer. It would be interesting to see how the public reacts to someone who isn’t 20-something and still the 20-something level of attractiveness. I have an idea they might not be so kind through the window.
November 22nd, 2010 at 9:42 pm
I know how you feel, social media can be liberating and containing at the same time, hopefully you are getting some good air and exercise!
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Hello Cristin,
It’s strange to know that you are there, in that glass box, a few miles away, reading this. Weird; more so for you I’m sure. Anyway, I have a few questions and thoughts that I would hope a project like this would bear out.
You are in a unique position to both consider and experience how a sociology of knowledge shapes our view of the world. In other words, what does the context in and through which we live and interact do to how we understand the world, form ideas and relate? It’s the Wall-e and Fahrenheit 451 question.
I’ve always found it really interesting that some of the people I respect most in the world, whose writing I still read, whose poems seem to capture the whole world in a line, never traveled more than a few hundred miles and never had these ‘tools’ for communication. Take Jesus for example. It makes me wonder, are we diluting ourselves by spreading our presence out to the masses? Or is there much of a presence to begin with? Are we trading a real relationship of self-giving love with the few, for a self-promoting, carefully manicured facade that nobody can break, because nobody can get close enough to throw a stone?
I saw that you were two miles away because of CNN. And now, I’m taking time write this, even though I will never meet you. And, you will read it. That alone say’s more than I would care to admit. Not all bad maybe, but probably.
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Cristin:
I just saw your project reported on CNN. Although I may not totally understand all your reasons for doing this, it seems to me that it is disingenuous to call this an “isolation” project when clearly you are not cut off from anyone. If people are permitted to stroll by and wave or hold up notes or use sign language, etc., how exactly are you isolated? Admittedly, living in a small room and not having in-person verbal conversations for a month is a different experience, but I don’t think you’re really understanding what it’s like to be cut off from people. Some of us older folks could go a month without any digital media whatsover no problem. I’m not sure you could do that 🙂 Just my thoughts. Good luck!
November 22nd, 2010 at 11:46 pm
The photo of those two children showing notes to you is precious. It restores my hope in the youth of 2010. Thanks for sharing that photo and your project as a whole.
November 22nd, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Hi Cristin!
I too was directed here by CNN. What an interesting experience! My Mom used to make fun of me all the time for playing on my iphone so much….that is, until SHE got one! Now she’s all sorts of addicted to that stupid thing. I wish you the best in this project, and I hope the weather is beautiful and fresh and happy for you when you get out again!
Stay cool 🙂
Alyssa in Cali
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:38 am
This is great! The one thing that I have noticed looking through all of your blog posts is how amazingly happy everyone looks when they look in at you! Maybe social media isn’t a bad thing, look how happy all the people outside the walls look! Social media has made me a stronger person, and not a weaker one. I do a VLOG about my running goals every week and I think it has made me a better person? However, looking at the pictures of you in the box is a sad thing, but it’s amazing when you think about the response. Your exhibit is definately a hoo-rah to doing things! excellent job! (I too was directed by CNN, lol)
November 23rd, 2010 at 5:22 am
I saw the article about your project on CNN today. Very interesting and I think a very important topic – something I’ve been thinking a lot about. I hope you do an overall reaction at the end and follow-up to how you feel to be “out of the box.” Social networking and the web provide a lot of opportunities for us to evolve, but I often wonder at what point to we devolve?
I’m curious – do you feel like the conversations you’ve had during the project have been quick / short or has there been opportunity for in depth, substantial conversations? I feel like we miss out on having ‘real’ conversations when our lives revolve around Facebook, texting, etc…
As an aside, I was pleased that the notes from your visitors that you’ve posted use real words vs. idk, lol, omg, imho, etc… that’s the other social networking topic that keeps me up at night. 🙂
Good luck in the home stretch!
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:35 am
Hello PIP followers,
I just wanted to let you all know that Cristin has been inundated by electronic messages of all kinds and is fairly overwhelmed right now.
She appreciates your support, so please don’t take it personally that she won’t be able to reply to all of y’all.
And for god’s sake, it’s not a ‘storefront’, it’s a gallery!
Peace out,
Joshua Jay Elliott
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Cristin,
When I read your story on CNN, it made me feel like crying. I understand that feeling of isolation and over accessibility all wrapped up in one. I hope you are doing well, you’re almost done.
Take care,
Michelle in Nevada
November 24th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
@Liora-Make your own. That’s what we did. I think you are right depending on who the person is can cause different reactions.
@Jeff- You raise a good point it may be harder to go without technology, but I am starting to think not for me. I am not isolated in a traditional sense. This is a metaphor for how many people live their lives today. I write more about how and way we did this project the way we did in earlier blog posts.
@Amy B.-You are right social media can bring many positive things. Josh and I are avid users ourselves, we just want people to take note of their use.
@Brenda-I feel like I have had a few longer conversations over Skype mostly that have had more meaning. But generally speaking, most of my conversations are short.
@Michelle-Thank you for your concern. Thankfully, this is only something I am doing for 30 days. I know that there are many people out there that feel isolation every day.
November 27th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I am hoping to come down there do support you on this journey. It will be an expierience we will all remember for some time.