No Aeroplanes? No Money? No English? Tell me what you'd like to read (Poll)

Happy Friday the 13th!

Ward off evil by taking a quick poll!

As some of you are doubtless aware, I'm working on a new project about Positive Constraints that will probably change your life and save the universe.

(If you already know what I'm talking about - please skip straight to the poll! Otherwise, read on!)

What are Positive Constraints?

Positive Constraints are things we deliberately choose NOT to do, reaping the benefits of a life without. For example: I haven't taken an aeroplane for five years now. I obviously haven't travelled any less - I've travelled much more, in fact. But I've travelled by hitch-hiking, cycling or on foot - as well as by train, ferry and bus.

Another example: Since Wednesday, I've had no mobile phone. It's only been a couple of days, but already I'm feeling calmer. There is evidence that owning a mobile phone puts us into a state of "continuous partial attention", unable to switch off mentally, which makes us increasingly anxious.

Now you know what they are, I bet you can think of a few Positive Constraints that you already follow. Perhaps you became a vegetarian or don't eat sugar on Mondays; maybe you never work on the Sabbath or took part in Movember and didn't shave for a month. Great! - you know the weird and wonderful things that can happen when you stop doing something that you once thought was crucial to your existence.

I need your help!

I'm writing a whole massive book on these constraints (I've already interviewed a woman who gave up her smartphone and became a graffiti artist!) - but I need your help!

I've got a long list of possible Positive Constraints - everything from No English and No Money to No Swearing and No Handshakes - what I'd like to know is which ones you find most interesting. The final book will feature a round dozen of Positive Constraints so please spare a couple of minutes to check out the poll here and tick the ones you'd like to read about!

Thanks, thanks, thanks - you're really helping me out!

dc

ps: If you have any other suggestions, reply to this email or leave a comment on the poll.