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My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

allthatjazz.me

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Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#321

Post by timbeccue »

DamnInteresting wrote: post #203
brushfoot wrote: post #123

Apps to fight apps has never worked for me. When I'm bored/tired enough, it becomes a game to disable my own restrictions. What works for me is removing the antecedent completely by charging my phone in another room at night. Now the battle is easier: Decide once a day to put it there, and track how many days you succeed. For me that's a lot easier than having it in my pocket, where the Internet is always a couple la…

> It really makes me want a 1980s-style cellphone with no screen and big physical buttons. If you're using an iPhone, you can use Assistive Access to disable a lot of stuff, making it functionally simiilar to a flip phone: https://support.apple.com/guide/assistive-access-iphone/set-... There's probably an Android equivalent, but I can't speak to that.

The big downside that keeps me from using it is that you need to whitelist the contacts you want to be able to call/text, and can’t add new contacts in assistive access mode. Sad, because it otherwise looks perfect as a distraction minimizer.

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#322

Post by chickenWing »

felipeerias wrote: post #37

The nature of programming means that there are a lot of small gaps while you work, for example as the code is compiling and deploying. These short breaks are not enough to pick up any long-term activity, so therefore the small bites of social media end up looking very appetising. Other times you need to search for specific information. When you already have 25 tabs open, it doesn't seem that bad to open tab number 26…

Having some music on helps me with this too.

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#323

Post by gsuuon »

bloopernova wrote: post #151

Reading on an e-ink device has kept me somewhat sane over the past 12 months. It's still very tempting to just "hop on reddit and see what's there" or "I'll just check bluesky for..." Then it's 2 hours later and you're angry and despondent. I've found that having no social media apps on my phone has helped. It also helps to stick to just Firefox+ublock on Android and resist every time a site tries to install an app.…

I'm really hopeful for e-ink or low-fidelity devices to help ween us off media addiction. Hopefully Nothing pursues something in that space since it aligns with their mission. Would love to switch most of my work screens to e-ink and only have 'normal' screens for explicit recreation time.

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#324

Post by grumblingdev »

mcdeltat wrote: post #309
grumblingdev wrote: post #255

There is a big opportunity for someone to make a all encompassing blocker. I am yet to find one. I think everyone is struggling with this in some way. Anytime I get setup with a blocker it helps heaps. But I always slip back in. Every source of useful information (Reddit, YouTube) comes with toxic clickbait that you cannot disable. I realized that my addiction is to the point that I cannot reason my way out of it. Th…

> You want to let yourself think about things that you enjoy and motivate you INTRINSICALLY, not someone else because then you just keep needed to rely on their enthusiasm. Legitimate question for debate: how does this differ for social media vs other media? Apart from social media being more addictive, all media is pushing someone else's thoughts on you, in some way. I can imagine old folks would've made similar arg…

Social media is rapid fire short cuts and videos.

Destroys our imagination and creativity. Instant satisfaction.

When we imagine things we are exploring a tree of possibilities and following the branches that give us satisfaction.

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#325

Post by olyjohn »

johnfn wrote: post #212
Almondsetat wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, the definition was always about the state of the person doing the scrolling, not of the content. For some reason it them changed, and now it appears to be coming back to the original meaning

That is not true. Look up the definition of doomscrolling and most sources (e.g. wikipedia) will say that it tends to be negative content.

Most sources, but not all! To me, watching 8 hours of puppies, kittens and rainbows in a day would have a pretty negative impact on my life. That kind of content is negative when it becomes excessive. Heroin feels really good when you use it too. Doesn't make it a positive thing.

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#326

Post by paulcapewell »

thinkling wrote: post #213
weast wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am currently working on a phone designed to reclaim the digital toolbox nature of the smartphone- access to maps, messages email etc, but with an e-paper display. There are some (albeit not so interface friendly) e readers with SIM cards, but I think there is great power in just having a screen that doesn't vibe with the oversaturated video and image based distractions we are so used to lugging around with us all t…

> I think there is great power in just having a screen that doesn't vibe with the oversaturated video and image based distractions we are so used to Similarly (easier but less drastic) I’ve seen people turn their phone to grayscale mode to make the device less engaging and remind you that it’s a productivity device, not an entertainment device. On iOS you can do this through the Accessibility settings. (Settings > Di…

Android's Digital Wellbeing also has an option for Bedtime Mode to enable greyscale mode (along with do not disturb etc.). I find that really useful and it also has a sort of snooze option in the notifications if you quickly need to disable it for a short period.

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#327

Post by drw85 »

3vidence wrote: post #216

This post randomly gave me an idea for an infinite scrolling site that may help break the cycle while still being fun. Imagine a TikTok / YT style video scrolling but after each video you have to swipe progressively more times to get to the next video. By the time you are swiping like 30 times to slowly inch to the next video maybe people would naturally stop.

There would be a new little device that is a fidget spinner with a little gummy on the side as a finger replacement.

Everyone would have one. :D

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#328

Post by TonyTrapp »

BehindBlueEyes wrote: post #320
TonyTrapp wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In this particular case it's my use of NiMH batteries, which have a different discharge slope than normal Alkaline batteries. So it's not really a "feature" of the device but rather a limitation of the type of batteries used. With my alarm clock the signs when to charge the batteries are very obvious (the LCD starts fading away so it becomes hard to read, but the device is still functioning perfectly for some more we…

curious: why do alarm clocks run on batteries? Seems counter intuitive for a device that is just going to sit in one place to not be plugged in?

I've been using mine as a travel clock many times. Why have two items when both do the same thing?

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#329

Post by johnfn »

olyjohn wrote: post #325
johnfn wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is not true. Look up the definition of doomscrolling and most sources (e.g. wikipedia) will say that it tends to be negative content.

Most sources, but not all! To me, watching 8 hours of puppies, kittens and rainbows in a day would have a pretty negative impact on my life. That kind of content is negative when it becomes excessive. Heroin feels really good when you use it too. Doesn't make it a positive thing.

You are free to use a word however you'd like, but that doesn't change the popular definition and usage of that word.

Re: My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

#330

Post by masfoobar »

NibblesMeKibble wrote: post #317
masfoobar wrote: post #316

I wouldnt say I am someone who struggles with doom scrolling but I do share how easy it can be to fall in a trap. I think its just easier for me because my smartphone is really for messaging and calls.. with some niceties of discord. I refuse to have TikTok or use typical social media on my phone. To clarify, its not that "I refuse" its just I find little incentive to. On top of this, I do not view my smartphone as a…

How I phrase it is: my phone is for utility, not pleasure. I check emails, I ePay, SMS/Discord messages, utility apps like hobby score tracking or taking notes, necessary company apps like airlines or resorts, etc. I never use my phone for pleasure. If I look up a YouTube video, it's for a purpose and it ends at that purpose. If something takes me to a social media site, I read the post and end there. I keep pleasure…

+1

My phone is ideally for

- Call

- Text messaging / WhatsApp / Discord of few groups, etc

- Alarm clock

- Taking pictures or videos. (Likely family oriented)

- Booking tickets - document, shows, travel (the main reason I have email setup on my phone)

- Travelling - Geolocation / map (gmaps, etc)

- Exception: Internet if working on laptop with no internet (ie in cafe) (This could also be youtube videos or similar)

If smart phones were banned tomorrow then my life would not change that much. The above is mostly for better convenience of what is other methods and requiring a some paper or printer, etc.

I do wonder what the percentage is today that rely on their smartphone (even if not serving a decent purpose other than "social") and struggle with daily life if a ban started tomorrow.... waking up to no smart phone. I think it will be pretty high even for people in their 40s. Its rather sad.

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