Matt Crawford speaks with author Howard Lewis about his book, Leave Your Phone at the Door: The Joy of Offline. 

Real life happens beyond your phone screen. Leave Your Phone at the Door embraces the OFFLINE philosophy, which is a celebration of the much underrated virtues of randomness and serendipity. Whether sharing stories of unexpected encounters, alarming behavioral trends or the joys of quiet and contemplation, Howard Lewis encourages us to adopt an open mind and a generosity of spirit whenever we are confronted by the unfamiliar or surprising or different. We all have an innate desire to communicate but our constant reliance today upon personal technology is stripping our sensibilities bare. But rather than focusing upon the limitations of social media and phones, Lewis is far more animated by the mindful reframing of our place in the world. He offers his insights on the importance of relating to people in person and advice on developing social skills and habits that enrich our lives. What began as an informal gathering with friends led to the launch of the OFFLINE dinner, which he has hosted for over fifteen years in London. Guests are drawn from all walks of life and invited to engage with one another without the distraction of their phones. OFFLINE is designed to be the antithesis of everything online but also recognizes that veering off road and then back on it is both valuable and necessary. It aims to challenge and provoke, question and answer, stimulate and amuse, nurture and nourish in a delightful and congenial setting. This book is an embodiment of that ethos. Leave Your Phone at the Door acts as a timely and topical reminder to look beyond our phones and enjoy the physical benefits of community, randomness and serendipity. Who knows where it may take you and whom you might meet?!