91–100 of 144 posts
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Cal Newport in “Digital minimalism” has a plan of attack for addictive loops. 1) force yourself to use the mobile web site vs the dedicated app 2) at the end of the session log out, increasing the friction of using the app mindlessly
Another thing I've started doing that works for me is removing a page from the history on my browser. It's easy to mindlessly browse something like reddit when I can just type 'r' and hit enter because the browser autocompletes sites in my history, but even the 1 second it takes to type out 'reddit.com' gives my brain time to realize there's nothing in particular I wanted to look at, and I was just going there out of…
I guess there is such a thing as a minimalist aesthetic (think japanese/danish uncluttered styles) which has very little to do with the minimalist philosophy. Minimalist philosophy is much closer to resourcefulness/ingenuity than it is to consumerism.
I need a connected phone that isn't built for addiction. For example, I need Uber for the rare cases where I'm in a jam at 3 AM and need to get back home. I need maps for when I'm looking for directions. I need a web browser to access my bank and the occasional Google search. I can live with or without Whatsapp or Signal, that depends on how much you use it I guess. However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok o…
> However, I don't need Facebook, Twitter or TikTok or any social app. So... don't install those apps? I guess that's easier said than done. I keep an `/etc/hosts` list of distracting websites (includes HN) and route them all back to my hobby trello task board. Message to myself being, "hey, distractions from work are fine, but wouldn't you rather be working on one of these things than screwing around in a comments s…
This sort of solution, though, takes it way too far. I mean, I might need to call an Uber. I am not addicted to the Uber app. But I want it when I want it. I want to have maps/driving directions available when I want them. There are so many things I use occasionally on my phone that I'd like to decide whether or not they are positive or problematic, rather than the manufacturer to decide that for me. In other words, they throw out the baby with the bathwater.
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So don't install those things? At some point it isn't the phones problem to limit a user from those things. I don't have Facebook, Twitter, etc on my phone.
The USP of dumbphones is that they provide internet access to a curated subset of apps. There's no easy way to tell an Android that you do want data going to maps and chat apps, but not to your web browser or social media app. You have to jiggle dozens of permissions sliders every time you switch 'modes'. Dumbphones are that toggle. Is it going to find a $200-$300 enthusiast market? Not sure... I could see myself buy…
If you want those apps to never be on your phone, you don't have to mess with a bunch of sliders to switch modes.
It's touted as a minimalist phone but the very idea of a product category for minimalism is funny. If you don't want to get distracted and lead a more minimalist life, the act of resisting the distractions must come from within. Buying a minimalist phone is treating the symptom not the cause. I guess there is such a thing as a minimalist aesthetic (think japanese/danish uncluttered styles) which has very little to do…
For example I find it much easier to avoid drinking when I don’t have alcohol in the house.
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So don't install those things? At some point it isn't the phones problem to limit a user from those things. I don't have Facebook, Twitter, etc on my phone.
It is like telling an alcoholic "simply don't drink".
My Xiaomi note has a super eco mode. One home screen, up to 9 apps (I opted for Vivaldi, telegram, whatsapp, camera, newpipe, maps. Obviously phone, contacts, sms). When I found the feature I used it on when my battery was about to die, now it's my default productive mode. Battery is super happy to see the charger once or twice a week. It's a feature phone? No. But it's my camera, gps nav, notebook, mp3 player. All t…