I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation.<p>First, I don't use any devices directly after waking up. I meditate for about 20 minutes upon waking and then try to read fiction for 40 minutes. So, all in, somewhere around an hour of no device distractions before starting my day.<p>Slack is one of the biggest interrupting factors while coding these days, more so than IRC ever was for me, so I try to have chunks of time during the day with it closed. This is something I've struggled with recently as co-workers always expect to be able to get in touch, but often I really need 30-60 minutes of uninterrupted focus for real tasks.<p>For personal things, I deleted Facebook and feel quite a bit better. I still scroll Instagram too much. I deleted the Twitter app from my phone and will only check it from time to time on the web. I try to turn on Do Not Disturb mode in the evenings, but it's hard when you have systems that potentially could go down and things could get escalated to you.<p>On top of that I try to take psychedelics a few times per year, not in any type of party settings, but with people that are close to me. Screens tend to turn up this feeling of disgust when I look at them in that state, so I automatically disengage with them. I find that for at least a short while after the trip my usage of distracting Internet things goes down a lot as well.<p>Interested to hear other strategies!
I read somewhere recently that smart phones have essentially become random gratification engines in the same way as slot machines. Sometimes on a slot machine you win the jackpot, because of this every pull gives you an endorphin kick, each time we pick up our phones or get a notification it might be an important/interesting thing, therefore we get a little endorphin kick that keeps us checking.<p>Because of this I turn off all notifications apart from phone calls and text messages. I don't have app badge counters or notifications for email either, if it is that important the person would ring me.
The number one thing I've found to be effective in combatting this is sleep. I have to get 8 hours of uninterrupted, unmedicated sleep. 9 hours is even better. And I have to do it for a few nights in a row.<p>If I do anything at all that interferes with the quality of my sleep, I'm screwed, and The Stream will suck me in. Conversely, things that increase the quality of my sleep -- exercise, diet, not using gadgets after a certain hour -- all increase my ability to fight off Stream-induced distraction.<p>So that's my recommendation. YMMV.
To me, this reads like an alcoholic ranting about how everyone should stop drinking. Yes, technology can be addicting. That doesn't mean we're "helpless" or even that it's <i>bad</i>. I'm really sick of these hyperbolic luddites.<p>Personally, it's not at all a problem. I'm not a technophobe—I have an iPhone, use Facebook, etc.—but it's done nothing but positively improve my life. I can keep in touch with friends around the world and work remotely from anywhere, all thanks to the beauty of these "distracting" technologies.<p>However, even though my life is heavily entangled with technology I certainly don't feel "addicted" to it. I have no problem going out into the wilderness for a week and having 0 contact with the world. I certainly don't interrupt conversations to check my phone.<p>If technology is hurting your life, the problem could just as easily be with <i>you</i> as it is with technology.
"I used to be a human being": I like this phrase.
It captures, poetically, the existential despair of losing the conditions of humanity. Regardless of if the author's particular conditions necessitates the implicit drama, each of one us, I'm sure, have felt like we lost what made us "real" or "authentic" at some point or another.
What I would say to this guy is this.<p>Your "virtual" life is also real. The news that you read, happen in real world. The people whom you talk to are real people. There's no "real life" and "non-real life". Everything that happens to you is "real life" by definition. That includes social networks etc.<p>The only thing that matters is whether it is a life that you're comfortable with, or not. And there is certainly a point that many people are not actually comfortable, but forced into comforming.<p>Being uncomfortable about it because it's "not real" is a fallacy, though.
Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you.<p>The author instead seems to be taking his personal opinions about technology and trying to apply them to everyone. It's not enough that he doesn't like these things. We should not like them either and here's why. Time with my kid is invalid because I also have the TV on? GPS leads me to stop remembering things? Emojis are unsuitable replacements for voicemail? The author imagines restaurants where smartphones must be surrendered upon entering. Cool, you've described a place I'll actively avoid. Where's that "stop liking things I don't like" GIF when you need it?<p>"Our enslavement to dopamine?" -- how about YOUR enslavement to dopamine? Leave me out of it.
> The interruptions often feel pleasant, of course, because they are usually the work of your friends. Distractions arrive in your brain connected to people you know (or think you know), which is the genius of social, peer-to-peer media.<p>Silly as it will sound I'd never thought of it that way. Cunning , brilliant and cunning again.
I fixed my brain by cancelling my internet services. All I had was 1gb of cellphone data.<p>Never been happier.<p>Right now I am back with an internet subscription and I'm miserable. I am an internet addict and having internet at home is very bad for me. I strongly consider cancelling my internet suscription again.
I spent the weekend working on my Honda, replacing the timing belt, water pump, clutch cylinders. It's been a long time since I've come up for air, so to speak, and spending the entire weekend off the computer was immensely gratifying. I found more satisfaction in fixing my car than I have in anything for a long time. I found myself thinking that perhaps being on the internet constantly has caused me to lose some taste for life.<p>I'm taking a vacation soon, 9 days with no computer will be a much needed reset.
What's clicked for me is:<p><a href="https://selfcontrolapp.com/" rel="nofollow">https://selfcontrolapp.com/</a><p>It's an open source project either:<p><a href="https://github.com/SelfControlApp/selfcontrol/" rel="nofollow">https://github.com/SelfControlApp/selfcontrol/</a><p>What I do is, essentially, the following: every day at around 0-1 am (before I go to sleep) I set a timer so that it would fire at 7-8 pm (that's when I would get home). This allows me to force myself from browsing unnecessary sites (facebook, twitter, HN, reddit etc.) that would otherwise distract me from doing meaningful work.<p>As for the other devices, not long ago I would have twitter, facebook, VK, and a few others social media apps on my iPhone. I deleted everything except twitter which I check rarely (<= 10m a day). Deleting the facebook app contributed greatly to my smartphone's battery life either.
Shameless plug: I created a Chrome extension which makes me wait 1 minute before proceeding to the one of distracting websites, helps me a lot. Maybe it will help you too: <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/better-things-to-do/begggblpkegcnammjagcmplfnpopocla" rel="nofollow">https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/better-things-to-d...</a>.
Meditation, meditation, meditation. These devices/games/stimuli are training your brain, so it's up to you to actively combat that with your own training. That's how I view it - you are being programmed one way or another, either by outside forces or by your own doing.
I swim. Often. No phone. No internet for 2 solid hours.<p>After that my mind is clear.
And I do not want to reach for a smartphone.<p>One great feature on this phone is the ultra energy saving feature. Basically turning it into a black and white display reminiscent of a Nokia 3310.<p>Notifications are turned down for everything.<p>My life is better. Walking the dog and looking at the scenery is feeling good.<p>I like to have my life back from the social internet blackhole.
The problem is that these technologies are increasingly necessary to function within normal society. Do we somehow regulate the allowable behaviors of apps? Is it on us to improve our self control so we can act as engaged, but distant participants?<p>There's also the ethical question around people not being aware of their obsessions/addictions (especially in the mobile gaming space)
One suggestion for people who ask if there is a better way than cutting yourself off from social networks:<p>Try to practice "memory walk meditation" - I made up the word to combine two things I have learnt about, essentially to combat distraction. (And I have been generally successful - but I also don't need it a whole lot)<p>Next time you read a book, or just anything you feel would be good to remember - take the key points and associate them with objects in the room that you spend the most time in, or where you usually sit/stand when you interact on the social network. If you are completely unfamiliar with the field of memory training, I recommend picking up some old copy of any book written by Harry Lorayne to learn how people usually commit things to memory when doing memory training. (For example, creating outrageous and vivid images is key to retrieval. Learning the major system will help memorize arbitrary numbers)<p>The actual memory walk meditation consists of traversing those objects first physically, then eventually mentally in a certain order - as you approach the object, use the image to retrieve the concept/idea associated with it. Hopefully you can identify at least 10 or so objects in your room.<p>After a while, it becomes a bit (too) easy. Read another book, do it for something else you wish to learn.<p>The point is, it is easier to move away from a bad habit like too much FB by building something else that you look forward to than using denial.<p>A very nice advantage of this technique is that you can decide, for example, that you will at least go around the room (mentally) once before logging in to the social network, and increase it to two, three etc. So you can slowly build up your resistance, so to speak. A second advantage is that since the objects are usually right in front of your eyes, it gives you triggers all over the environment to help you build the habit.
I'm considering writing a plugin which, much like an ad-blocker, removes click bait links. There would be various black lists one could use. Any feedback on implementation appreciated.
reminds me of the poem "The World is Too Much With Us", by William Wadsworth:<p>>The world is too much with us; late and soon,<p>Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—<p>Little we see in Nature that is ours;<p>We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!<p>This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;<p>The winds that will be howling at all hours,<p>And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;<p>For this, for everything, we are out of tune;<p>It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be<p>A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;<p>So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,<p>Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;<p>Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;<p>Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.
The best thing I found to combat this is make distraction difficult. To that end, the best two things I did was write an FF plugin to hide FB's news feed and removed the News feed from my iPhone. Now I actually have to type a URL if I want distraction, which becomes something of a deterrent.
I see his point and used to read his blog. But could he have been just as effective online while scheduling in a real life? That is, he could have achieved as much or more with some measure of balance. Easier said than done.<p>I'm not saying I have a life but I'm hoping to get one real soon now.
> <i>I couldn’t check my email or refresh my Instagram</i><p>> <i>... trying to describe what I was feeling. The two words “extreme suffering” won the naming contest in my head...</i>