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I Used to Be a Human Being

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Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#61

Post by marmot777 »

simonbarker87 wrote: post #8

I read somewhere recently that smart phones have essentially become random gratification engines in the same way as slot machines. Sometimes on a slot machine you win the jackpot, because of this every pull gives you an endorphin kick, each time we pick up our phones or get a notification it might be an important/interesting thing, therefore we get a little endorphin kick that keeps us checking. Because of this I tur…

That's true in the same sense that soap has become a tool of OCD people. I don't even install games and never have so I don't know what I'm missing.

I also turn off notifications, too. That's a must for all but a critical communication channel.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#62

Post by wNk6A23YB »

mikeash wrote: post #37
simonbarker87 wrote: post #8

I read somewhere recently that smart phones have essentially become random gratification engines in the same way as slot machines. Sometimes on a slot machine you win the jackpot, because of this every pull gives you an endorphin kick, each time we pick up our phones or get a notification it might be an important/interesting thing, therefore we get a little endorphin kick that keeps us checking. Because of this I tur…

I've been saying this for years. You open Twitter and you may or may not get something cool. Same thing for Facebook or mail or whatever. It's inherently addictive.

Or HN

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#63

Post by marmot777 »

resetting wrote: post #7

I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. First, I don't use any devices directly after waking up. I meditate for about 20 minutes upon waking and then try to read fiction for 40 minutes. So, all in, somewhere around an hour of no device distractions before starting my day. Slack is one of…

You seem super human to me. I can't imagine doing any of the above, well, except the last one as Ayahuasca is useful. Maybe I'll go back there with the intention of more balance. She never goes there. She didn't seem to care either way on screen time.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#64

Post by jsprogrammer »

resetting wrote: post #7

I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. First, I don't use any devices directly after waking up. I meditate for about 20 minutes upon waking and then try to read fiction for 40 minutes. So, all in, somewhere around an hour of no device distractions before starting my day. Slack is one of…

Fiction books are another era's addiction, if you believe the theses being presented here.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#65

Post by marmot777 »

overcast wrote: post #10
resetting wrote: post #7

I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. First, I don't use any devices directly after waking up. I meditate for about 20 minutes upon waking and then try to read fiction for 40 minutes. So, all in, somewhere around an hour of no device distractions before starting my day. Slack is one of…

I've done the same. Facebook was closed last year, Reddit this year, Twitter never really used, but deleted the app. I've added comment blockers in all of my browsers to get rid of all of the negativity on websites, especially YouTube. I don't use any other social apps besides the occasional Instagram for business purposes. My phone goes into Do Not Disturb about an hour before bed, and I place it face down on the ni…

How do people survive without Facebook? How do I keep up with what everyone's up to? Sure, there's a lot of mindless posting on there but for me the good outweighs the bad.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#66

Post by marmot777 »

gerbilly wrote: post #12
resetting wrote: post #7

I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. First, I don't use any devices directly after waking up. I meditate for about 20 minutes upon waking and then try to read fiction for 40 minutes. So, all in, somewhere around an hour of no device distractions before starting my day. Slack is one of…

>I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. - Close any social media account not used for your job. - Stop using GPS unless in dire emergencies, even in foreign cities. Buy a map, ask directions. - Read physical newspapers and books. - Text people only for coordinating where to physically me…

Then I'd have to face the holes in my life. That kind of sucks.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#67

Post by andrewmd »

resetting wrote: post #7

I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. First, I don't use any devices directly after waking up. I meditate for about 20 minutes upon waking and then try to read fiction for 40 minutes. So, all in, somewhere around an hour of no device distractions before starting my day. Slack is one of…

You're barking up our tree! Having experimented with many of those strategies too, we believe the best solution is to change the menu altogether.

We're working on a minimalist phone to help you disconnect and be more focused, through an intentionally limited feature set and smarter notification management. All the utilitarian tools you need to navigate 2016, none of the slot machines.

PM if you are interested in our beta test. We're also looking for a tech lead ;)

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#68

Post by overcast »

marmot777 wrote: post #65
overcast wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've done the same. Facebook was closed last year, Reddit this year, Twitter never really used, but deleted the app. I've added comment blockers in all of my browsers to get rid of all of the negativity on websites, especially YouTube. I don't use any other social apps besides the occasional Instagram for business purposes. My phone goes into Do Not Disturb about an hour before bed, and I place it face down on the ni…

How do people survive without Facebook? How do I keep up with what everyone's up to? Sure, there's a lot of mindless posting on there but for me the good outweighs the bad.

I really can't tell if this was sarcasm. Same way they did all the years before the invention of Facebook.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#69

Post by marmot777 »

nxzero wrote: post #15
gerbilly wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. - Close any social media account not used for your job. - Stop using GPS unless in dire emergencies, even in foreign cities. Buy a map, ask directions. - Read physical newspapers and books. - Text people only for coordinating where to physically me…

Always fun watch someone go cold turkey, since it becomes obvious to them their an infozombie really quick; reaching for a phone in their pocket that's not there every few minutes, going through withdrawals from not being able to read feeds/email, etc.

I can't stand when someone does that so that's the one thing I NEVER do is reach for my phone when I'm in any way engaged with people IRL. It's just annoying as fuck to talk to someone who's a slave to communication coming in through their phone.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#70

Post by marmot777 »

marmot777 wrote: post #65
overcast wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've done the same. Facebook was closed last year, Reddit this year, Twitter never really used, but deleted the app. I've added comment blockers in all of my browsers to get rid of all of the negativity on websites, especially YouTube. I don't use any other social apps besides the occasional Instagram for business purposes. My phone goes into Do Not Disturb about an hour before bed, and I place it face down on the ni…

How do people survive without Facebook? How do I keep up with what everyone's up to? Sure, there's a lot of mindless posting on there but for me the good outweighs the bad.

To clarify, I know people survived before Facebook but I've been on it since I think about 2008. I really like it to be honest. It makes me sad to think of giving it up. A lot of people here are talking about a program of achieving balance. A common list item is "delete your facebook account." I can do without Twitter but Facebook I'd mourn the loss. Maybe that's part of growth though. Damnit!
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