Why IRL Pledge?

Smartphones have well and truly taken over the world and with it the attention, perspective and priorities of so many of us. Concurrently, local communities have fallen into decline, presenting far fewer opportunities for us to meet and mix with those from different walks of life.

Technology is wonderful.  It has brought us education, global connectivity, health innovation, travel, convenience, art and culture, but it can also harm us - deeply - as a deluge of recent research has proven. 

This is especially so now it resides in our pockets, tempting us with constant distraction; depressing us with its rose-tinted filters; fuelling outrage and distorted world-views and keeping us from real-world memory-making with the hours of attention it demands. 

Many feel increasingly uncomfortable about the impact on ourselves, let alone on the lives of those we love and younger generations who have become increasingly anxious since the advent of the smartphone.  

It’s time to take stock and reevaluate. It’s time to proactively reclaim our IRL lives and reinvigorate IRL community .

This pledge is not designed to turn the clock back but an attempt to rebalance modern opportunities with the things that have made people happiest throughout history: the resilience of family and community, good health and life-long learning and memory-making.  

Why take the pledge?

IRL Pledge is for anyone who wants to reclaim their perspective, priorities and memory-making in the real world and would love support and motivation on that journey.

Whilst we can’t say we’ve entirely worked out the formula for human happiness, we know that less time on devices is a better path to it and we’re delighted to see so many innovators rising to the challenge, championing and enabling the older habits of IRL connection and living.

This pledge is your way of getting involved and staying updated.  If you pledge to keep yourself accountable or to encourage and motivate others, we pledge to support you with hints, hacks and news on great innovations to embed happier, healthier habits.

Let’s pledge to do better.