Step 1: Find a box. Step 2: Power down with my wife at 6:30 PM and put our phones in the box. Step 3: Close the box and put it somewhere inconvenient to reach. Step 4: Relax, intimately be with those I live for, and read a physical book. This new ritual has been good thus far. It has allowed for greater peace in my body, a better sleep schedule and more relating and reading time. As mentioned in my
Amen, Peter. The key is to start noticing what we pay attention to because what we attend to reveals our values. And our values dictate our decisions, and our decisions constitute our life. More of my comments can be found here: https://immediacyforum.substack.com/p/facebook-instagram-tiktok-oh-my
My sense is that the social component you mentioned is key. For those who live alone or with people unwilling to stop devicing, there are much greater challenges. Phones are powerful in part because they substitute for connection.
This is somewhat of a side note to the broader thesis that you have presented:You mentioned going out and driving without your phone, and feeling a sense of danger. I feel that this is likely a common experience- a sense that if we do not have the lifeline of our phones handy, we are exposing ourselves to undue risk. But, this seems to be poor framing. It certainly does not take a very effective cost/benefit analysis of the situation. For example, if I go out without my phone, I may not be able to reach someone in the odd chance that something were to go wrong. Fair concern. But, if I bring my phone, I know that I will be presented with temptations to stare at it, which I am particularly vulnerable to. The chance of something terrible happening is possible, but not insurmountably likely. The chances that my phone will prompt a distraction while I am with people, almost 100%. Therefore, I can make a decision: perhaps the certainty of no digital distraction, at times, outweighs the risk of not carrying a phone. Furthermore, perhaps the phone actually provides an illusion of safety more than anything. For example, if something truly horrible is happening, what is the probability that I will be able to access my phone and respond quick enough to where it would make a significant difference. I think that at times, phones are likely a comfort blanket more than an effective safety device.
Amen, Peter. The key is to start noticing what we pay attention to because what we attend to reveals our values. And our values dictate our decisions, and our decisions constitute our life. More of my comments can be found here: https://immediacyforum.substack.com/p/facebook-instagram-tiktok-oh-my
I love the idea of boxing phones away in the evening. Will definitely try with my wife.
Second-order observation seems a very useful phrase
Wait. So you are promoting putting away your phone so you can read a book by the unibomber?
My sense is that the social component you mentioned is key. For those who live alone or with people unwilling to stop devicing, there are much greater challenges. Phones are powerful in part because they substitute for connection.
This is somewhat of a side note to the broader thesis that you have presented:You mentioned going out and driving without your phone, and feeling a sense of danger. I feel that this is likely a common experience- a sense that if we do not have the lifeline of our phones handy, we are exposing ourselves to undue risk. But, this seems to be poor framing. It certainly does not take a very effective cost/benefit analysis of the situation. For example, if I go out without my phone, I may not be able to reach someone in the odd chance that something were to go wrong. Fair concern. But, if I bring my phone, I know that I will be presented with temptations to stare at it, which I am particularly vulnerable to. The chance of something terrible happening is possible, but not insurmountably likely. The chances that my phone will prompt a distraction while I am with people, almost 100%. Therefore, I can make a decision: perhaps the certainty of no digital distraction, at times, outweighs the risk of not carrying a phone. Furthermore, perhaps the phone actually provides an illusion of safety more than anything. For example, if something truly horrible is happening, what is the probability that I will be able to access my phone and respond quick enough to where it would make a significant difference. I think that at times, phones are likely a comfort blanket more than an effective safety device.
Mmm, Peter, life is like a comedy, the screen will not make a pillar of salt any different.
What will be different is when it becomes a telephone and not a broadcast or lecture.
But don’t come to me, I don’t have this device, although I repair them for other matrix users of the mind meld.
Pavlov’s dog, was true enough of our ability to be fully manipulated by a bell, and become useless while waiting for it.