After entering the stock market aged eighteen, Howard Lewis co-founded Invaluable, a pioneer in providing auction search services to the global arts and collectibles market. He is director of the Schorr Collection, an impressive compendium comprising almost 450 Old Master and 19th Century paintings ranging from 15th Century devotional images to Impressionist landscapes. Despite his evident fine art credentials, Howard is not one to be put in a box – he was also instrumental in the evolution of a collection of very early and rare toys, games and educational material for children.
Cultured, creative and curious, one of his central tenets revolves around everything OFFLINE, a mission to encourage individuals to engage in real conversations in the real world. His book, “Leave Your Phone at the Door” fully embraces the philosophy, celebrating the much-underrated virtues of randomness and serendipity. He encourages us to adopt an open mind and a generosity of spirit whenever we are confronted by the unfamiliar, surprising or different.
Rather than focusing upon the limitations of social media and phones, he 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 recognises 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. This book is an embodiment of that ethos.
When you hosted your very first OFFLINE dinner, what did you hope people would gain from it?
I hoped attendees would recognise that, wherever you go in the world, people are fundamentally the same, just a bit different, and that there is far more that connects rather than separates us. Moreover, food is a great leveller and you often learn much about people when you eat with them. Personalities are revealed in myriad ways.
Were you surprised by them in any way? Did you expect to still be hosting them 15 years later?
There is always an element of surprise when you gather 30-35 disparate individuals together but I never had much in the way of a plan. OFFLINE by its nature is ad hoc and spontaneous. Equally, I am not surprised that it has proved an enduring formula since the desire to share and convene is a key aspect of the human condition.
At that time, social media would still have been in its infancy. What were the greatest threats to the OFFLINE ethos back then? How have things shifted with the rise of things like Instagram and TikTok?
The appetite for the OFFLINE ethos was clear in the early days. The biggest challenge for many was overcoming their fear of the unknown. The proliferation of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok has actually accentuated the desire for a physical and meaningful connection. And I expect that trend to continue.
What do you think about the incoming social media ban for under-16s?
I disagree with the notion of an outright ban. That is a clumsy, ill conceived approach which does not eliminate the underlying issue. Some aspects of social media are undeniably beneficial to young people but there needs to be far more emphasis on promoting good actors rather than bad in this sphere.
Evidently, it’s not all about social media, it’s about a general outlook that seems afraid to be curious. And a celebration of the unexpected. Would that be accurate?
Yes, that is a fair summation. OFFLINE is a celebration of the much underrated virtues of randomness and serendipity. These are each life affirming as they invite you to step out of your comfort zone and explore the world around you. Far too many people are preoccupied by the way they are perceived by others rather than living life on their own terms.
At what point did you begin to see the need to put the OFFLINE mission to paper, by writing your book Leave Your Phone at the Door?
I can’t say that there was a specific moment but I had composed so many stories around the OFFLINE philosophy that setting them down on paper seemed a logical step. Kicking it into shape thereafter was slightly more challenging but the broad thrust of the book had been burbling around in my head for some time.
How have people responded to the book?
I am pleased to say that the response has been promising thus far, especially as the readership has been drawn across the spectrum. The initial print run has almost completely gone and I have just agreed to sell the foreign translation rights for my book in Ukraine. Additionally, I was approached to build the OFFLINE brand through other avenues.
You seem to be a naturally open and curious person yourself? What are the things that people can do to be more this way…especially if they are naturally shy or introverted?
People should cast aside their fear that any fresh interaction will be laced with complications. Engaging with others through greetings like hello, good morning, please, thank you, waving and smiling, (albeit not simultaneously!) is a simple exercise that demonstrates goodwill to others. And that is almost always positively received.
Are there things you do daily, either as reminders to yourself of the OFFLINE ethos, or to actively challenge reliance on technology?
Technology has some virtues but the excessive reliance upon it by the majority has become a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. I recommend reading a book every day. The subject matter is less important than making it a daily habit but it will transport you into other world, if only temporarily, and that diversion may prove uplifting and rewarding.
And, could there be a Book #2? If so, which themes might you like to dive deeper into?
I suspect that my next book will be on either art, football or travel. There is much else to explore around the OFFLINE concept but my curiosity naturally tends to lead me towards unexpected paths, unexpected meetings and unexpected consequences. And that makes life so much more interesting!
