So glad it resonates, Tara! In some ways it feels like a way to let ourselves off the hook a bit and be kinder to ourselves, because our screen addictions aren't just about a lack of willpower - it goes much deeper than that.
Love the bit about senses other than vision being, in effect, demoted. It reminds me of '60s sci-fi movies in which aliens always have giant heads at the expense of the rest of their bodies. What are we prioritizing at the expense of our own wholeness?
Yes! Demoted is a great word for it. And funny you should mention aliens, because this guy from early 2000s Doctor Who was v much in my head while writing: https://zarbi.fandom.com/wiki/Face_of_Boe
It seems like the concept of attention is doing the rounds a bit at the moment and it’s so fascinating. Ezra Klein’s latest podcast episode, which I listened to today, talks a lot about this and the role our phones/social media have on how we feel and our ability to focus. Definitely recommend giving jt a listen!
Ooh that sounds good, thanks for the rec! The Guardian also has a 'how to break up with your phone' type programme going on for January (naturally signed up immediately) and I keep seeing Substack posts about people leaving Instagram...I wonder if some sort of sea change is coming...?
Alas, I can't :( Everyone is getting so paranoid about cyber security I now have to verify my identity via an app before I can log in to various work systems. Literally couldn't do my job without a smartphone
Such a thought-provoking read,Kate! Our minds…externalized…times a trillion.
I love your way of seeing the screen problem as an expansion of the human weaknesses we already have. This rings true.
So glad it resonates, Tara! In some ways it feels like a way to let ourselves off the hook a bit and be kinder to ourselves, because our screen addictions aren't just about a lack of willpower - it goes much deeper than that.
I’ve been reading the book Stolen Focus, which agrees that it’s not an individual problem. I’m almost to the “solution” chapters!
Oh yes, this has been on my radar for a while - knowing there are 'solution' chapters bumps it up my list a bit!
It’s a really good read! I can’t speak for the solutions yet, but I expect they won’t be individual. :-)
It’s a really good read! I can’t speak for the solutions yet, but I expect they won’t be individual. :-)
Love the bit about senses other than vision being, in effect, demoted. It reminds me of '60s sci-fi movies in which aliens always have giant heads at the expense of the rest of their bodies. What are we prioritizing at the expense of our own wholeness?
Yes! Demoted is a great word for it. And funny you should mention aliens, because this guy from early 2000s Doctor Who was v much in my head while writing: https://zarbi.fandom.com/wiki/Face_of_Boe
Oh sure. THAT guy! This is pegging me generationally, but this is who I had in mind:
https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/f3cb52a5-3079-4fd3-bed4-5b289ecfc152/talosian.jpg/:/rs=w:1280
Ha! Yep, also works 😂
It seems like the concept of attention is doing the rounds a bit at the moment and it’s so fascinating. Ezra Klein’s latest podcast episode, which I listened to today, talks a lot about this and the role our phones/social media have on how we feel and our ability to focus. Definitely recommend giving jt a listen!
Ooh that sounds good, thanks for the rec! The Guardian also has a 'how to break up with your phone' type programme going on for January (naturally signed up immediately) and I keep seeing Substack posts about people leaving Instagram...I wonder if some sort of sea change is coming...?
time to get a flip phone!
Alas, I can't :( Everyone is getting so paranoid about cyber security I now have to verify my identity via an app before I can log in to various work systems. Literally couldn't do my job without a smartphone