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The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

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Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#51
post #10

Getting 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 wonder how much benefit people would get by just putting their phone in airplane mode for long chunks of time.

My favorite part of going camping is unplugging for a couple of days at a time.

Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#52

Earlier 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)

I have my smartphone and am not the OP, but I spent several years on Windows Mobile which supported almost no apps, so it was kinda like a dumbphone. I think people often overestimate their need. People act like they can't live without Google Maps, but 90% of them take the same route to work every day. I would argue if you aren't traveling outside your local area, you have zero need for a mapping app. It's true you m…

This was also my experience with the Lumia 920 (greatest phone + OS combo ever IMHO).

The maps ("Here") on Windows Mobile were actually not bad at all.

Using this phone taught me not to be obsessed with instant mail notifications among other things.

Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#53
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with you and GP at the same time.

Both are sides of the same coin. I just figured I'd bring up the other side.

Frankly I don't see any disagreement. I didn't say "old guys" as an epithet. They call themselves that...

Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#54
Perhaps it's functioning as a substitute for the constant social interaction that was once a facet of living in a tribal society.

We always had someone near us we were chatting with, but now that we have eliminated that level of social connection in the modern social environment, we have replaced it with the smartphone. It may just be satisfying a hardwired biological need for constant chit-chat.

If you look at it that way, as a coping technique for loneliness, it doesn't seem too bad.

Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#55
post #10

Getting 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.

...What? In what situation does this happen?

If I'm busy then I'll let it go to voicemail and call back.

Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#56
post #10

Getting 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 realized that I slowly lost my ability to do simple calculations that was used to be easy, eg total bill of grocery shopping before going to the cashier. I put the blame to the calculator app on my phone

Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#59
> Participants in the “desk” condition left mostof their belongings in the lobby but took their phones into the testing room “for use in a later study;” once in the testing room, they were instructed to place their phones facedown in a designated location on their desks.

Yeah, color me skeptical. You're in a study currently, and you're asked to place your phone on your desk for a later study. This is quite different from just having your phone around, because you're basically thinking about 'phones' and 'studies' together while you're in the study.

That's very different from 'mere presence' in my mind.

Re: The Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity (2017)

#60
post #3

I get it - the act of staying away from your phone is taking up cognitive capacity. And if you're addicted, the constant reminder to check also takes cognitive capacity. Sex is no different - if you're single, or married and you want more sex than your significant other - believe me, sex will reduce your available cognitive capacity. The constant thought of how do I get more of it (single or married) I'm sure does mo…

Managing the appetites requires self-denial. In the case of married couples, the spouse has a moral obligation to satisfy the other sexually within moral and reasonable limits (i.e., sexual abuse or objectification of the other is never admissible). Phone addiction is in this sense easier. It can also be managed through abstinence or even eliminated cold turkey if you wish because we have no intrinsic desire for phon…

>In the case of married couples, the spouse has a moral obligation to satisfy the other sexually within moral and reasonable limits (i.e., sexual abuse or objectification of the other is never admissible).

I can't agree with those statements. No one, not your spouse, not your significant other and not anyone else is obliged to provide sexual satisfaction to you or anyone else.

What's more, while consent is never optional, pleasing one's partner should be a joy, and if your partner desires objectification or even what you (note that what you think and believe doesn't apply to everyone else) term "sexual abuse," that's between consenting adults.

Your judgement as to what is "moral" is an individual judgement that applies to you. There are more things (as well as kinks and fetishes) in earth and heaven than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

And just so it's crystal clear, consent is never optional and no one, regardless of relationship status is obligated to provide sexual satisfaction to anyone.

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