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I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

nytimes.com

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Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#11

Post by tannhaeuser »

grecy wrote: post #3

I'm 37, and I have never really had a smartphone, because I don't want one. I know I tend to be addicted to the internet (I can't resit my laptop when it's nearby with wifi), so I think it's more healthy for me to just not have a smartphone than to resist temptation (like an alcoholic simply not going into bars). I'm a Software Engineer and I've never downloaded or used an "app" on a smartphone. I did buy a new Andro…

In my current job I'm almost daily going by subway and see most people fumbling on their phone all the time. Many can't even stop when hopping on/off the train. Now when I carefully look at just what it is that captures their attention, it's mostly cheap games or endless-scroll taboola-style crap. A guy sitting next to me the other day simultaneously phoned and frantically clicked on random crap on his phone with no chance of actually reading anything on there. I've noticed some are even staring caustically at the phone's home screen or settings panel after having consumed everything being offered online for the time being.

I don't know, but IMHO these people should go see a therapist, and we should seriously get a move going to call out and stop this pathological addictive behaviour.

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#12

Post by epx »

I've always loved to read, any kind of book would do, but recently I've been unable to sit down and read a book, even technical ones. Guess I got used to the instant gratification that Reddit & friends give to the brain. Considering to ditch the smartphone as well.

Actually, I can't ditch the WhatsApp because it is the new phone company these days... Using a very weak smartphone with small screen, too small and slow to read, would be a solution?

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#13

Post by mgbmtl »

As the author noted in his article, I would emphasise the importance of having a hobby you enjoy. My rock climbing gym is full of programmers, just saying, it's a nice sport that's accessible to all strengths, and you can probably find a meetup at the gym near you.

Also, biking to work can be a great way to avoid both phones and advertising, and also reconnect with your surroundings. I hate taking the subway only to be bombarded by advertising, so I read on my phone, which has ad blockers.

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#14

Post by [deleted] »

ianai wrote: post #2

“I found myself incapable of reading books, watching full-length movies or having long uninterrupted conversations. Social media made me angry and anxious, and even the digital spaces I once found soothing (group texts, podcasts, YouTube k-holes) weren’t helping.” So don’t take the call and keep having the conversation. Delete all apps that aren’t a net benefit. Is this really that difficult?

[deleted]

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#15

Post by tomrod »

huffmsa wrote: post #10

I've just setup a new phone and have decided to leave all of the dopamine triggering apps off of it. I installed one thinking "it won't be that hard to moderate" but my fingers were immediately flipping it open and scrolling unconsciously. So off it goes. I'm already noticing myself not caring about those platforms and not even really checking them on the desktop.

My spouse and I did this with all of a few company's apps, utilizing the mobile website only.

The difference in time saved is notable.

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#16

Post by nickjj »

For developers or people who are on a computer a large portion of the day, I don't think the problem has anything to do with smartphones.

A lot of those addictions (checking email, checking if someone engaged with one of your replies or content, etc.) can happen on a laptop or desktop workstation. The only difference is you're looking at them in a browser instead of on your phone.

I never had a smartphone but I am a freelance developer where I spend most days doing work on a computer and it's really easy to get stuck in loops where you're checking XYZ on an abnormally high frequency. It's especially difficult if your business expects you to be on those sites.

In other words, ditching your phone (if you have one) isn't going to change much if you spend most of your day on a computer. At best you'll be less rude to people out in public which is a good thing, but it's not going to fix your brain.

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#17

Post by wilde »

ianai wrote: post #2

“I found myself incapable of reading books, watching full-length movies or having long uninterrupted conversations. Social media made me angry and anxious, and even the digital spaces I once found soothing (group texts, podcasts, YouTube k-holes) weren’t helping.” So don’t take the call and keep having the conversation. Delete all apps that aren’t a net benefit. Is this really that difficult?

Yes. People who think they have better self control over something tend to just have a different level of enjoyment.

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2016/11/3/13486940/se...

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#18

Post by open-source-ux »

grecy wrote: post #3

I'm 37, and I have never really had a smartphone, because I don't want one. I know I tend to be addicted to the internet (I can't resit my laptop when it's nearby with wifi), so I think it's more healthy for me to just not have a smartphone than to resist temptation (like an alcoholic simply not going into bars). I'm a Software Engineer and I've never downloaded or used an "app" on a smartphone. I did buy a new Andro…

I have a smartphone. A Windows smartphone. I'd say at least 60% of websites fail to render using the (obsolete) version of Internet Explorer on the phone (but Hacker News renders fine). Windows Phone OS support ends in December 2019 so I'll have to switch to a new phone at some point.

Why do I keep using it? Familiarity and I like the simplicity of the OS. It does have a few essential apps like offline maps. Windows Phone OS is probably the best UI that Microsoft created. It's also refreshingly different compared to the converging design and behaviour of Android and iOS (grid of icons vs tiles).

Ironically, a little-used, dead-end OS with few apps available on the platform means you can't do a great deal on the phone apart from call or text people. Maybe a blessing in disguise?

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#19

Post by DKnoll »

tannhaeuser wrote: post #11
grecy wrote: post #3

I'm 37, and I have never really had a smartphone, because I don't want one. I know I tend to be addicted to the internet (I can't resit my laptop when it's nearby with wifi), so I think it's more healthy for me to just not have a smartphone than to resist temptation (like an alcoholic simply not going into bars). I'm a Software Engineer and I've never downloaded or used an "app" on a smartphone. I did buy a new Andro…

In my current job I'm almost daily going by subway and see most people fumbling on their phone all the time. Many can't even stop when hopping on/off the train. Now when I carefully look at just what it is that captures their attention, it's mostly cheap games or endless-scroll taboola-style crap. A guy sitting next to me the other day simultaneously phoned and frantically clicked on random crap on his phone with no…

There isn't much else to do on public transportation. You either fumble around on your phone or stare blankly at the wall. When I took public transit regularly I would read sometimes but there was too much noise and movement around me to really focus. Clearly you find yourself bored as well since you're looking over people's shoulders.

Re: I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain

#20

Post by ianai »

randomsearch wrote: post #6
ianai wrote: post #2

“I found myself incapable of reading books, watching full-length movies or having long uninterrupted conversations. Social media made me angry and anxious, and even the digital spaces I once found soothing (group texts, podcasts, YouTube k-holes) weren’t helping.” So don’t take the call and keep having the conversation. Delete all apps that aren’t a net benefit. Is this really that difficult?

Problem with the self discipline argument is that there are thousands of highly paid software engineers and designers who spend every working day aiming to break that discipline, and they have a mountain of data and a powerful low latency feedback loop as weapons.

Yep, in hindsight, I’m off base here. I delete apps as soon as I feel like I’m being manipulated (people too). I pretty much use my mobile devices for note taking, calendar, email (with rule sets for the “offenders”), reminders, and internet/music. Basically it’s augmenting all the stuff I normally forget.
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