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How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

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Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#31

Post by nologic01 »

Its not the phone. Its the screen. It could have been in any form factor - it was in another, less usable, form factor. The portability just clinched it for billions and made the issue of the screen more pressing than ever.

The screen is the window to the matrix, our collective digital space.

That matrix is something incredibly powerful. We have not tamed it. We don't even have a theory of taming it. A psychological, political, economic framework that does not drift into toxic, rapacious abominations.

We need to learn to live this dual existence as individuals.

We need to learn to build sane digital communities.

Admitting we have a really serious problem is the first step.

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#32

Post by smnrg »

nologic01 wrote: post #31

Its not the phone. Its the screen. It could have been in any form factor - it was in another, less usable, form factor. The portability just clinched it for billions and made the issue of the screen more pressing than ever. The screen is the window to the matrix, our collective digital space. That matrix is something incredibly powerful. We have not tamed it. We don't even have a theory of taming it. A psychological,…

I think there's truth to that. A screen's mere presence can distort focus and commands attention.

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#34

Post by ape4 »

ygouzerh wrote: post #9

That's so true. I love Youtube for its music, documentaries and software engineering content. But I hate the Shorts features, if I click on only one video, it sucks all my night. I built a small app for blocking the Shorts features, in this way I can enjoy the advantages without having the bad sides.

I've heard if you select "Not interested" for all the shorts in your feed one time - that will stop them.

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#35

Post by jrm4 »

A simple .. "hack?" that has served me well.

No social media on the phone, computer only; in fact, turn off all notifications not from live human beings trying to contact me personally.

It seems as if the big social media sites are beginning to appreciate this as well? Seems like the formerly "phone only" sites are getting web interfaces...

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#36

Post by baremetal »

I don't use my phone for anything but calls and texts, and occasionally looking something up.

I meditate or engage with people standing while in lines.

If I'm gonna spend time on a computer I do it on a laptop at home. All my HN browsing is on a laptop.

I keep the phone in a separate room.

I don't give myself the slack to spend time looking at my phone. Its a waste of time anyway and I end up missing out on life.

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#37

Post by passwordoops »

Apropos of this topic, I'm in the middle of reading Dopamine Nation, recommended reading for everyone. Just about anything that gives us pleasure has the potential to be addictive, and unfortunately our entire system is based on getting us to indulge in what makes us feel "good", ergo addictive behaviors are highly encouraged. The tech industry is no exception as UX is generally predicated on making us feel "delighted" i.e. addicted.

https://www.annalembke.com/dopamine-nation

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#38

Post by lloeki »

nobrains wrote: post #7

But its more than that. I might visit Reddit and Hacker News, not because the app summoned me via notifications, but because my brain summoned the app, after just a 15 minute hiatus. The issue is that browser and certain apps are available to me on the phone instantly. And there are no good controls to help me me MINDFUL. What I want from the phone (I use an iPhone): - Upon every unlock, or upon every app open, I sho…

Screen Time does that, minus the input box.

"Always allowed apps appear normally", others are grayed out. When tapped they present a fullscreen "time out!" screen. You can ignore the limit from that screen but it presents you options and requires two or three taps so it kind of "gets in the way". I presume your input box could fit in there, although personally I think I would end up filling it with nonsense, or it would always be the same.

There's a bunch of analytics, like first pick up app. I don't think there is about overrides.

It can sync across Apple devices so you can't cheat by using another one.

Combine that with home screens + Focus modes and you can get in control.

(also "apps" above can be websites too in Screen Time")

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#39

Post by eimrine »

> It’s about whether your phone is a needy, attention-sucking vampire.

What else outcomes might be awaited if "the phone" is running non-free software? I am exactly that kind of person whose healthy screen time of snoop phones is zero because of some attention obstructions - but I have no fatigue issues after heavy sessions behind a screen which is powered by Debian without opening any websites requiring JS.

Re: How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul

#40

Post by sledgehammers »

nologic01 wrote: post #31

Its not the phone. Its the screen. It could have been in any form factor - it was in another, less usable, form factor. The portability just clinched it for billions and made the issue of the screen more pressing than ever. The screen is the window to the matrix, our collective digital space. That matrix is something incredibly powerful. We have not tamed it. We don't even have a theory of taming it. A psychological,…

You have spoken my exact thoughts aloud, thanks.

Let's start working on the theory!

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