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I Got My Attention Back (2017)

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Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#141

Post by kmnns »

misev wrote: post #127
foofoo4u wrote: post #121

I want to throw my phone away and switch to a "dumb" phone so I can rid my addiction to it, but I have become dependent on several core apps such as Google Maps. I wish Android would allow me full control to delete every app on there but the ones I most need. But unfortunately, its restrictions prevent me from doing so. For example, I want to delete all web browser apps so I am not tempted to the addiction of the int…

There are dedicated GPS devices (by TomTom, Garmin, etc) which are much cheaper than smart phones. In the past they provided a far better experience too, I'm not sure how they compare to Google Maps nowadays though.

I got myself a Garmin device for exactly this purpose. Put your own OpenStreetMaps on it and you‘re good to go. Perfect GPS reception and much longer battery life included.

But note that it‘s not the same als Google Maps/Apple Maps. If you want to test it out first, use an OSM-based app for a while, like OSMand, and see if it fits your bill. You get better hiking maps, but you might miss the integration of business opening hours, Yelp, traffic, etc. But for me it‘s worth it, for GP‘s reasons.

People used to live without all these features before, after all.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#142

Post by myHNAccount123 »

muonic wrote: post #29

I'd actually appreciate anyone's opinion or advice on this... I grew up on computers and the internet (absent, technophile parents made that very easy) and by the age of 13 or 14 my computer really just felt like an extension of myself. When I was in undergrad, I realized that the only way I'd ever actually properly study is if I had someone on my dorm floor take my computer from me and refuse to give it back for som…

I'm similar so here are some thoughts - I found myself in a situation where I had limited internet access. I still had access to all the files related to me "to do" project list. I instantly felt more motivated to work on them. Knowing that my connection to the internet was gone and there was nothing I could do about it for the time being caused that constant nagging in the back of your mind "whats the next funny meme" or what ever to disappear. I didn't feel compelled to mindlessly browse because I couldn't. I would suggest finding a way to severe this connection (pun intended) and it will set your mind at ease. It solves the FOMO feeling when you KNOW you can't do something. /ramble.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#143

Post by freehunter »

andalusian_ipa wrote: post #140
hanniabu wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You say that but can't provide any alternate solutions/suggestions/strategies?

Not spend money in yet another phone and try to limit the usage of the current one?

Nothing like telling an addict that they just need to stop being addicted. Simple answer, problem solved, right?

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#144

Post by powersnail »

I've found that the most effective way of regaining focus, is to find something real to do or think about, and write them down as a list. When a time of idleness comes, check the list and occupy the mind with it.

My phone easily distracted me when I'm idling in the middle of some task, for example, waiting for a compilation to finish. But when I'm practicing music, despite my phone being always on as the metronome, I don't get tempted at all. There's no need to fight an urge of browsing the internet.

I have found that the addiction to internet is not really that strong; it cannot compete with what I really want to do. So, as long as I don't let the idleness creep in, I can keep my modern smartphone with me.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#145

Post by freehunter »

mathieuh wrote: post #117
coldpie wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> These days I don't even carry a smartphone anymore, as I've found the sum of its effects to be negative. I'm pretty close to this point myself. The big thing that keeps me from just ditching the phone entirely is Google Maps. I guess I could just chuck the thing in a drawer until I need to use it to go someplace.

You could buy a standalone GPS device, I know Garmin make ones for hiking, I'm sure there are other probably cheaper options out there.

For all the people up and down this thread saying “just buy a dedicated GPS”, realize that Google Maps is not a GPS device. It has restaurant reviews and information about parks and bike paths and parking lots and busy hours and traffic data and street closures and pictures/menus and so much more.

If the question is “what restaurant do we want to go to after we leave the theater, within walking distance or public transport, that’s open right now and accepts credit cards but also has vegetarian options”, a simple GPS isn’t going to answer that question in a way even remotely similar to Google Maps.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#146

Post by carti »

synlatexc wrote: post #65
Bedon292 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately my phone is literally the first thing I do when I wake up, and last thing at night. Is sometimes an hour on the phone before actually getting out of bed. I had to quit Reddit years ago because of the addiction. Don't really use Facebook. But Twitter currently has its hooks in me. It is a news source to me, about the pandemic, election, protests. But it manages to suck me in to reading extra comments and…

I'm with you wrt Twitter. It is an amazing source of information, but much of it is daily drama that is a form of entertainment -- a modern Jerry Springer. These tweets and videos serve as a conversational currency of sorts. Not sure it's worth it.

I feel this way too. I think you can still get access to a lot of the "conversational currency" by just checking it less frequently. Making highly curated lists helps a lot too, since you can isolate a lot of the more drama/entertainment-focused users to particular feeds.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#147

Post by muonic »

pkrznaric wrote: post #118
muonic wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the issue here is that it's so easy to make excuses to plug it back in, and it's so easy to walk over to the router to do so. When I left my devices at work, whenever I had the urge to go on the internet at home, I would realize it would take me another hour commute to get there and back, and that wasn't worth it.

Something that I've heard of people doing is getting a timer box. Basically what it is, is something that locks for a designated period of time. When you're done work you can pop your stuff in it, set a timer for 16 hours or whatever is necessary then you can't access these things at all. Here's a rough link to what I mean ( https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Safe-Locking-Container-Height... )

Amusingly, I tried this approach. What I found is that I would make up any excuse to not lock my device in the timer box.

Seems like my addiction runs very very deep.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#148

Post by codr7 »

freehunter wrote: post #145
mathieuh wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could buy a standalone GPS device, I know Garmin make ones for hiking, I'm sure there are other probably cheaper options out there.

For all the people up and down this thread saying “just buy a dedicated GPS”, realize that Google Maps is not a GPS device. It has restaurant reviews and information about parks and bike paths and parking lots and busy hours and traffic data and street closures and pictures/menus and so much more. If the question is “what restaurant do we want to go to after we leave the theater, within walking distance or public tra…

Did you consider simply asking a local on the street?

From my experience you'll get better information that way, and as an added bonus you get to interact with a real live human being.

I traveled through most of Italy by bus last autumn, with an ancient Nokia phone. As a result I was completely dependent on real humans, which turned out to be a blessing.

The thing is, most people are more than happy to help once they get over the hump of suspecting you for whatever. A friendly smile goes a long way.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#149

Post by saeranv »

foofoo4u wrote: post #121

I want to throw my phone away and switch to a "dumb" phone so I can rid my addiction to it, but I have become dependent on several core apps such as Google Maps. I wish Android would allow me full control to delete every app on there but the ones I most need. But unfortunately, its restrictions prevent me from doing so. For example, I want to delete all web browser apps so I am not tempted to the addiction of the int…

I have the exact same desire. I want to delete my web browsers and just keep google maps. My solution to this is to download a parental control app (I use AppLock), and block the web browser and google play.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#150

Post by coolspot »

powersnail wrote: post #144

I've found that the most effective way of regaining focus, is to find something real to do or think about, and write them down as a list. When a time of idleness comes, check the list and occupy the mind with it. My phone easily distracted me when I'm idling in the middle of some task, for example, waiting for a compilation to finish. But when I'm practicing music, despite my phone being always on as the metronome, I…

This idea is expanded in “Bullet Journal”, which I highly recommend to try.

https://bulletjournal.com

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