Useless Awareness Days? - Trend Hunter Sets Traffic Record on Computer Shutdown Day (VIDEO)

March 24 2007 was Shutdown Day, created as a new global awareness day to promote computer energy conservation.  The idea was that if everyone turned off their computer for a day, the world would be a better place. 

Personally, I’m a HUGE fan of eco-friendly initiatives, but I’d rather turn off my washing machine, air conditioning, or stop driving. Turing off my computer is not an option.

The day had a lot of press coverage, largely because the concept was innovative and a bit shocking.  I commend Michael Taylor for his ability to create such massive buzz with a simple .org site and a decent idea.  However, I am not sure how impactful the campaign actually was. 

For Trend Hunter, Sundays are usually light in traffic.  However, Computer Shutdown Day was our biggest day of traffic*.  (* - excluding the day with Britney Spear’s Bald pictures which knocked our site offline). 

On Computer Shutdown Day, Trend Hunter welcomed roughly 65,000 views, compared to an average of 30,000.  I guess people were using their computers…