48 Hours in Singapore Without a Smartphone: A Digital Detox

Bloomberg Pursuits Senior Features Writer Thu-Huong Ha shares her experience of spending 48 hours in Singapore without a smartphone on Bloomberg This Weekend. In a city where transportation, payments, dining, and government services are deeply integrated with digital technology, Ha tells hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini that the experiment required more patience and effort but also made her more observant of her surroundings. She found value in experiencing boredom and disconnection in a hyper-connected world. Ha describes the practical challenges of navigating a cashless society without a phone, from hailing taxis to ordering food, and how she adapted. She also reflects on the psychological benefits of unplugging, even briefly. This segment offers a thought-provoking look at our reliance on smartphones and the unexpected rewards of stepping away from the screen, set against the backdrop of one of the world's most tech-savvy cities.