One trick I've been doing recently is I've reduced my cell phone internet plan to a monthly cap with rollover. And then I only turn on my cell internet when I really need it for something. This has changed my default behavior pattern outside to disconnect from the internet, and that has let me feel a lot more present in whatever I'm doing.
The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
31–40 of 379 posts
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#32Getting rid of my smartphone was without a doubt the most positive thing I ever did for myself. I'm sure some people have the self-control to use it sparingly. But for me, not having to constantly fight the urge to check my always-connected magic pocket internet portal has freed up a huge amount of my mental willpower, which I can now redirect to other more important things. Now that everything is closed, I don't eve…
I get the same thing by A) not watching the news B) turning off notifications for almost all apps C) the real magic key to keeping control of your smart phone, instead of letting it control you is hang on Hello? Look I'm right in the middle of something I'll... yeah. I know I ... I KNOW. Look, I gotta go. Anyway, as I was saying... uh... well anyway. Phones suck.
I am very brutal in ignoring calls and sending SMS text replies to known IDs that might have something urgent.
I know the prefix is for all of my key numbers like kids schools, hospitals and simply don’t pick up if the prefix is not right.
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#33I was just remarking the other day while doing my morning constitutional that I can't remember what I used to do while sitting on the john when I didn't have a cell phone. I honestly couldn't remember. Probably just sit quietly and think and be bored. I wonder if boredom is good for us. Our brains probably need time not to be engaged with our eyes do mental housecleaning. Meditation is good but it's not the same as s…
Maybe boredom is beneficial because it can drive you to do something productive, and then the relief from boredom is coupled to the productivity.
The "Opponent process theory"[0] really rings true for me, and I think could be used to argue that experiencing boredom has some benefits.
[0] https://gettingstronger.org/2010/05/opponent-process-theory/
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#34I came here to criticize the clickbait title only to find out that the clickbait title is on the actual paper as well! Of course the "presence" of smart phones cannot reduce cognitive capacity, it's the things we've learned to associate with smart phones (if it's true at all).
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#35Getting rid of my smartphone was without a doubt the most positive thing I ever did for myself. I'm sure some people have the self-control to use it sparingly. But for me, not having to constantly fight the urge to check my always-connected magic pocket internet portal has freed up a huge amount of my mental willpower, which I can now redirect to other more important things. Now that everything is closed, I don't eve…
Can you talk more to the practicalities of getting rid of a smartphone? Have you seriously found that the loss of the conveniences they bring haven't been that burdensome? I am really intrigued by the idea but find it almost inconceivable to work for me (which might speak to an addiction, so I feel compelled to understand this further)
I would think it's better to develop the will power to not hop on your phone whenever available, take a breath, smell the flowers, but also still have the option of something as amazing as GPS. Not really interested in going back to pulling over and looking at a map these days.
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#36Getting rid of my smartphone was without a doubt the most positive thing I ever did for myself. I'm sure some people have the self-control to use it sparingly. But for me, not having to constantly fight the urge to check my always-connected magic pocket internet portal has freed up a huge amount of my mental willpower, which I can now redirect to other more important things. Now that everything is closed, I don't eve…
I recently bought a Jelly 2 on kickstarter, here's to hoping it will have the same effect as what you describe.
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#37Getting rid of my smartphone was without a doubt the most positive thing I ever did for myself. I'm sure some people have the self-control to use it sparingly. But for me, not having to constantly fight the urge to check my always-connected magic pocket internet portal has freed up a huge amount of my mental willpower, which I can now redirect to other more important things. Now that everything is closed, I don't eve…
Can you talk more to the practicalities of getting rid of a smartphone? Have you seriously found that the loss of the conveniences they bring haven't been that burdensome? I am really intrigued by the idea but find it almost inconceivable to work for me (which might speak to an addiction, so I feel compelled to understand this further)
I have not found it to be overly burdensome. I have an indestructible kyocera flip phone, so I'm able to call people (and SMS in a pinch).
I have an LTE-enabled tablet, so if I'm going somewhere totally unfamiliar, I'll throw it in my bag just in case I need to look up some information. Otherwise you just have to plan your outings in advance - like we always did prior to 2008 or so.
I have a Garmin GPS mounted in car for road trips, which I honestly prefer since it doesn't tempt me to fiddle with it while driving like a smartphone does. I also carry a semi-nice digital camera sometimes. It's obviously not as convenient as a smartphone camera, but I find I am more thoughtful and appreciative of the photos I take as a result.
I use more paper items (small paper notebook for grocery lists, transit tickets instead of using the app, etc). This can be somewhat freeing, as I've missed my ferry a handful of times because their app glitched out.
My personality tends towards obsession and analysis paralysis, which can be good for programming but sometimes bad for real life. I no longer obsess over which restaurant has the best looking pictures or online reviews, I just walk inside and try it out. Sometimes this is for the better, sometimes for the worse, but it's definitely a more human experience.
Without the smartphone, I also find I am much more inclined to talk to random strangers, since I can't just whip out the phone during awkward silent moments.
With lack of FOMO, I am also much more present with family and friends, which is probably the biggest benefit.
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#38Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#39Earlier quoted context omitted.
Can you talk more to the practicalities of getting rid of a smartphone? Have you seriously found that the loss of the conveniences they bring haven't been that burdensome? I am really intrigued by the idea but find it almost inconceivable to work for me (which might speak to an addiction, so I feel compelled to understand this further)
Specifically what functionality do you feel is so critical? The only thing I really struggled with at first was: - 2FA codes, but a self-hosted Bitwarden and a Yubikey solved that well enough - Maps. This is a legitimate sacrifice, especially for someone with as poor a sense of direction as I have. But between the mapping application in my car and looking things up before I leave somewhere on my laptop, it's not been…
I got a simple CAT-model that runs KaiOS.
It sort of supports Maps, but is inconvenient enough to kill the temptation to use it for everything.
As an added bonus, it's water proof, doesn't crack when dropped and the battery lasts a week.
Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)
#40Getting rid of my smartphone was without a doubt the most positive thing I ever did for myself. I'm sure some people have the self-control to use it sparingly. But for me, not having to constantly fight the urge to check my always-connected magic pocket internet portal has freed up a huge amount of my mental willpower, which I can now redirect to other more important things. Now that everything is closed, I don't eve…
I get the same thing by A) not watching the news B) turning off notifications for almost all apps C) the real magic key to keeping control of your smart phone, instead of letting it control you is hang on Hello? Look I'm right in the middle of something I'll... yeah. I know I ... I KNOW. Look, I gotta go. Anyway, as I was saying... uh... well anyway. Phones suck.
I have had my office phone on Do Not Disturb for 5 years and my cell phone has all notifications turned off and the ringer is set to off. The only time i turn it on is if I am expecting a call - which is hardly ever. Same with my PC - no notifications...it helps a great deal to keep the tool a tool instead of letting it become your master.