A base station for an 8m mast was recently erected on the Matroosberg mountain without permission from CapeNature.
"CapeNature is in the process of conducting an in-field investigation into alleged trespassing on CapeNature-managed land as well as the illegal construction. A Western Cape Internet service provider allegedly gained illegal access to the area and then transported equipment and building material to the top of the mountain and seemingly bulldozed a new piece of road as well."
However --- as you may have guessed --- the province’s environmental affairs department has said the base station was “technically legal” because it “was just small enough not to trigger provisions of the National Environmental Management Act”. (Due to environmental legislation changes a number of years ago...) ... See MoreSee Less
Put away that screen and let your children reconnect with the world.
Experts have warned that research into the consequences of children’s digital habits doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
If you haven’t done it with your own child, you’ve probably seen another parent do it. In a restaurant, in a waiting room, maybe even in church.
It’s the one thing most parents know they can count on to keep their little ones quiet and occupied for a while — that magical screen.
Smartphones and tablets have become electronic babysitters at home too, keeping your child happily glued to a screen and out of trouble, while you get on with the million things you have to get done.
It’s convenient.
......
Cindy Glass, director and co-founder of the Step Up Education Centre in Scottsville, has the following intelligent advice:
1. You have to set the example. Your children are more likely to do what you do, rather than what you say. You cannot expect your children to reduce their screen time if you do not do the same.
2. Have dedicated no-go zones and times for devices. Family activities, meal times and even when driving in a car, can be cellphone-free zones.
3. Go outside. Plan activities that involve going into nature. It is great for the soul and it will increase all the happy hormones in your bodies!
4. Encourage your children to get involved in activities beyond the school environment — sport, drama, music and art are great examples.
5. Very young children need to play with their hands and bodies, not on a device.
Read the full article here: www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/screen-time-vs-real-time-20190121 ... See MoreSee Less
Plenty of people have written about the psychological and intellectual benefits of slowing down their own techno-consumption.
But maybe it's time for the speed merchants at the helm of Big Tech to decide that they, too, want to be part of slowing our collective roll? That, at least, is the suggestion from Nicole Wong, who's worked as a lawyer for Google and Twitter and also served as Chief Technology Officer for the US federal government during the Obama administration.
On a recent Recode Decode podcast, Wong described an earlier phase of the Internet—call it the Dawn of Search era—as being focused on making products that were "comprehensive, relevant and fast."
Then came social media, advertising that's targeted based on users' online behavior, and the "personalization" era.
....
“What if we change the pillars again?” Wong asks. “What if we say, ‘That’s not the internet we want to live with’? What if the pillars were accuracy, authenticity and context?”
www.thestranger.com/slog/2018/09/18/32527715/maybe-we-need-a-slow-tech-movement ... See MoreSee Less
Sane tips from a South African psychologist and also see in the comments below some local digital detox destinations:
"Many people underestimate the amount of time spent on the phone and the times they check their phone.
Here are some benefits of a digital detox - making small changes towards using technology less.
* Improved relationships - less nagging from your significant other about your phone being more important than they are. More meaningful connections with loved ones, where you are 100% present and not distracted.
* More time for meaningful activities - both solitary and with loved ones. Less time online means more time for physical activities that are better for your health.
You also have more time to enjoy activities such as board games that allow you to connect with family and friends.
* You will be more productive at work if you check your phone less. We underestimate how much time this steals.
* You will get more done around the home.
* You feel more positive as there is a lot of negativity and, even if we’re not aware of it, we subconsciously compare ourselves to others on social media.
Their lives may appear to be better in some way (of course everyone only ever posts the highlights). Or we constantly feel that we need something just because we’ve seen it on social media (because media is meant to make us feel that we’d be happier and trending if we have X, Y or Z).
* Your focus and concentration will improve as there will be fewer distractions.
* You will live more mindfully as you will be more aware of your body and your emotions as you will not be constantly “filling in the quiet spaces”.
* Your sleep will improve once the interference of the blue light emitted by devices is removed, as these interfere with your circadian rhythms."
www.iol.co.za/thepost/how-a-digital-detox-will-help-you-live-mindfully-19953681 ... See MoreSee Less
