I was surfing trough the periodicals on Mashable and came across a little gem that caught my interest: Reconnect. The Reconnect article challenged the internet community to disconnect from the Matrix and get outside. Participants of the Reconnect campaign would disconnect from anything and everything digital and create from their own minds original and creative content that can then be shared on the Reconnect Facebook page. The creative content can range from painting to flash mobs and is only for a single day.
Seems interesting enough but is this campaign capable of lifting off the ground? My guess is no.
I believe that although the Reconnect Campaign has merit and can prove to be something great, I believe that the world is far too connected to let go of their smartphones or status updates. I find that disconnecting for a single day is a brilliant idea; at times I wish I could take my phone and throw the damn thing in a lake and let go of all of the digital aspects of my life. Unfortunately, I am one of the connected.
Besides the lack luster of the tree hugging and flash mobbing, the campaign has been set to launch on Labor Day weekend. Most of us that are human have plans to BBQ and go to the beach for the final weekend and most of us want to tweet invites or share cool pics.
Here is what I propose to the Reconnect Campaign:
- Change the date – I work seven days a week and Labor Day weekend is my only time to sit back with a cold one. If you wish to disconnect the world for a single day, choose a more daring day like Monday to really cause some waves.
- Incentive – I don’t think that the world will disconnect for the sake of disconnecting. As human beings, we LOVE to be accessible and broadcasted on the internet. If there is something more to the campaign, something meatier, I think people would be more likely to Reconnect after they disconnect
- Fans – Get more fans and tweet your message to a larger audience. With fewer than 700 likes you won’t reach the world. Utilize the strategy of an online marketing company and get your message out there.
The world can Reconnect but only if you can convince them. Can you convince them to disconnect in order to Reconnect?