Via Jeremy, I found Chris DiBona’s post about why WiFi should be turned off at conferences. Maybe it should be taken one step further on an every day basis, and all communal workplaces (read: conference rooms) should have a bin at the door where everyone can turn in their Treos, Blackberries, and other mobile devices of choice so that while at the meeting, attendees are at the meeting. If your attention is divided, then you’re not contributing. If you’re not contributing, why are you attending?
I throw the stone knowing that I live in a glass house: I’ve been known to glance at my email during a meeting. That’s not a good thing, and I’m going to make a conscious effort to change my habits.
I’m wondering if the most connected employees and companies are going to need to learn (even before everyone else) that if your employees can’t concentrate on solving problems with each other when they are together in person, then why are you going to the expense (commute time, office space, etc.) of bringing them together in person at all? I write these words believing that some remarkable things can be accomplished by smart people working together in physical proximity. There are plenty of examples where the proximity is not necessary (name your favorite open-source project), but there’s still a spark that can in the right circumstances bring a project up another notch. Sparks take friction, good and bad.
Treo-free Friday, anyone?
I’ll carry my 650 around the office tomorrow (it’s also my phone, after all), but I’ll see if I can go the entire day (at least 5 meetings) without once looking at email or News.com Mobile.