I'm a little embarrassed to admit this as the founder of an Internet startup, but I didn't even have a smartphone until a few months ago. I had what my wife referred to as a "dinophone." :-)

Eventually, I succumbed to the pressure and curiosity of having a smartphone. Now, as I check my email, tweet, or check HN walking my dog, as I'm eating lunch, etc., I find myself wondering: is this connectedness actually making my life BETTER?

I think for me, the answer is somewhat ambiguous. Yes, I appreciate the flexibility of being able to reply to emails in places and at times I was previously unable. However, I think there is a cost. I'm a lot less "present" during the monotonous moments of life. And, I think it's this monotony --- the "down time" --- that often makes space for unexpected creativity in our lives. Perhaps that's why our best ideas often come during mundane tasks like taking a shower (http://www.scottberkun.com/blog/2011/why-you-get-ideas-in-th...).

Anyway, I think the bottom line for me is this: I need to learn a new skill: how to disconnect and, perhaps more importantly, come to value these "boring", unproductive moments so I can withstand the temptation of pulling out my phone. I think that's an even bigger challenge for me.