BRAINERD — A three-day event in Brainerd is intended to help people put the phone down and connect more with strangers.
Central Lakes College is presenting ConnectEffect, an exploration of the "real world" versus the "screen world" in a style that merges talk shows with live theater, organizers said. The event is free and runs Jan. 23-25 at the Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
Participants are split into groups as soon as they arrive, but then sat in ways that separate them from the people they may have brought with them.
Mary Sam, dean of students, wellness and equity at Central Lakes College, and Joey Yow, the school’s performing arts center director, recently joined the KAXE Morning Show to talk about ConnectEffect. They explained why hosting this event is important to them.
"There’s not a lot that compels us to talk to people who are not in our 'social bubble.' So many of our devices are really going after our attention."Joey Yow, CLC performing arts director
Yow said ConnectEffect is “meant to be a fun, inspiring event, where we are learning how to get past that reflex action to look at our phones instead of engaging with a stranger.”
Sam said preparing young people for the workforce reveals the decline of social skills.
“People are saying to us, ‘Where are those soft skills?’" Sam said. "We don’t know how to be with each other."
Yow continued, “There are so many things in the background of our technological experience of the world that are framing our experience for us based on past behaviors and creating biases. There’s not a lot that compels us to talk to people who are not in our 'social bubble.' So many of our devices are really going after our attention.”
Walk-ins are admitted, but due to limited seating, participants are encouraged to register in advance. Detailed information and a link for registration are available at connecteffectbrainerd.net.
This event is made possible by the Central Lakes College Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center, the Region Five Development Commission, the Five Wings Arts Council, Essentia Health, Crow Wing Energized and the Lakes Area Justice Table.
