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I Got My Attention Back (2017)

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Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#151

Post by foofoo4u »

saeranv wrote: post #149
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.

Thanks. I'll give this a shot as well.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#152

Post by bathMarm0t »

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 look up directions before-hand and draw maps. It works most of the time as long as you plan to be a little late "snoopin" around.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#153

Post by anon9001 »

sevensor wrote: post #76
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…

We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm. I recommend something compelling, work-related, and thoroughly analog: get a really nice engineering notebook and give yourself permission to write all over it. Close the lid of the laptop when you do this, and put the phone aside. Write one paragraph that describes the problem you're working on, or draw a diagram. Allot ten minutes…

> We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm.

I think everyone has the cause and effect backwards. I believe that we're not distracted because we have these magical distraction devices. Rather, we invented the distraction devices because modern life is so devoid of meaning and purpose that distraction is a survival adaptation. The higher quality the distractions, the higher quality of the modern life.

> It quiets the squirrel-in-a-wheel spinning of your thoughts and takes the edge off the need to engage with whatever is distracting you.

I know it's an unpopular opinion, but what's wrong with functioning as a squirrel-in-a-wheel with constant distraction? I don't want myself to be calm, and neither do my family, friends, or employers. Everyone wants me to have the appearance of calm, but they actually need the squirrel on the wheel to get the output that everyone expects from me.

Being truly "calm" unleashes a deep existential anxiety about how life is precious and I'm wasting all of it with work and other meaningless obligations. I keep that crisis under control by smothering it with more distractions. I think this is a perfectly valid and sensible response to the modern world.

My plan is to be at peak-distraction until I've made it through the corporate grinder. I hope I'm able to reassemble myself once I can retire.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#155

Post by anthk »

- Ditch social media

- Forget tabbed browsing, try Surf/Vimb + Unbound under Linux/BSD

- Try Gopher, visit HN thru gopher://hngopher.com

- If you do Reddit, don't comment, check it under gopher://gopherddit.com

- Avoid multitasking

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#156

Post by derefr »

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…

A simple solution is to:

1. set up parental-control restrictions that lock you out of these apps;

2. hand your phone to someone you trust, and tell them to set the unlock password for the parental-control restrictions (so that only they will know it);

3. ask that said person also does you the service of typing the password to disable the restrictions when requested—but only with 24 hours' notice. (I.e. you ask, and then 24 hours later they'll do it.)

That way, you'll never be tempted to unlock the restrictions for trivial things; but you can still e.g. reset the phone if you want to sell it. (You just need to wait 24 hours first.)

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#157

Post by someusername99 »

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…

Duh. Get two.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#158

Post by foofoo4u »

derefr wrote: post #156
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…

A simple solution is to: 1. set up parental-control restrictions that lock you out of these apps; 2. hand your phone to someone you trust, and tell them to set the unlock password for the parental-control restrictions (so that only they will know it); 3. ask that said person also does you the service of typing the password to disable the restrictions when requested—but only with 24 hours' notice. (I.e. you ask, and t…

Brilliant. This might be the way I'll do it.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#159

Post by youareostriches »

ricardo81 wrote: post #41

I'm constantly amazed how often I step outside to smoke and a problem I've been grappling with is immediately answered without even much thought, the answer arrives. Perhaps many of us don't realise how much attention is stolen from looking at the screen.

Nicotine also has nootropic properties

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#160

Post by acituan »

anon9001 wrote: post #153
sevensor wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm. I recommend something compelling, work-related, and thoroughly analog: get a really nice engineering notebook and give yourself permission to write all over it. Close the lid of the laptop when you do this, and put the phone aside. Write one paragraph that describes the problem you're working on, or draw a diagram. Allot ten minutes…

> We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm. I think everyone has the cause and effect backwards. I believe that we're not distracted because we have these magical distraction devices. Rather, we invented the distraction devices because modern life is so devoid of meaning and purpose that distraction is a survival adaptation. The higher quality the distractions, the higher qu…

> Rather, we invented the distraction devices because modern life is so devoid of meaning and purpose that distraction is a survival adaptation.

I'd argue it is the other way around. What we call "distraction" is simply super-salient stimulus that we don't benefit in the long run but can't help being drawn to. It is like addiction. And addiction sells very well. Addictions can be designed to serve the market.

We don't ever get distracted with long pleasant walks, watching the sunset, home-cooked whole-food meals, deep reciprocal conversations, rich thoughtful books, sensual bonding love-making. But all have their marketable, superficial versions we can get addicted to like fast food, porn, hookups, twitter, youtube etc. I think the sense of meaninglessness and purposelessness is created because we get stuck in consuming these surface forms without getting anything that can genuinely nourish and grow us as people.

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