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It feels like a bit of both. The phone is probably a focal point for other issues. But, I don't think we should downplay the fact that the finely tuned, variabl

It feels like a bit of both. The phone is probably a focal point for other issues. But, I don't think we should downplay the fact that the finely tuned, variable reward scheduled, Skinner boxs that are many modern apps are anywhere near comic books, rock'n'roll, or videogames of old. I'm pretty conscious of intrusive notifications and apps that aggressively vie for my attention. Even with those limits in place, I'm acutely aware of the effect of having reddit available from my pocket in < 2 seconds. Maybe I'm weak, but I feel that it affects most of us in a fundamental way to some degree. I'm not saying that you said anything counter to this. I just think that apps which are hyper-tuned to captivate our every moment are a different beast.

balabaster 6y ago
I turned off all social media notifications on my devices so that I feel more like they're there to serve me rather than me a slave to it. Having it in my pocket is a lot less enticing when it's not constantly nagging me. I feel a lot more in control of it these days. I'm able to leave it on top of the microwave for hours at a time without feeling the anxiety of missing something.
- stantaylor 6y ago
  I'm with you. The only audible notifications that I get are phone, text and a couple of other messaging apps that I barely use (I'm talking one message per month per app). I get visual notifications for my personal email. Contrary to many people apparently, I also view texting as an asynchronous activity; I don't fee any urge to view and reply instantly to texts.
  - balabaster 6y ago
    I even turned off the visual notifications on my email, facebook, linkedin, everything else that would normally give people the impression that my device is there for their benefit and not mine. The only audible notifications I get are from my girlfriend on WhatsApp and phone calls... which reminds me, I've put my phone down somewhere and I should probably go find it... after my cup of tea.

balabaster 6y ago

I turned off all social media notifications on my devices so that I feel more like they're there to serve me rather than me a slave to it. Having it in my pocket is a lot less enticing when it's not constantly nagging me. I feel a lot more in control of it these days. I'm able to leave it on top of the microwave for hours at a time without feeling the anxiety of missing something.

stantaylor 6y ago
I'm with you. The only audible notifications that I get are phone, text and a couple of other messaging apps that I barely use (I'm talking one message per month per app). I get visual notifications for my personal email. Contrary to many people apparently, I also view texting as an asynchronous activity; I don't fee any urge to view and reply instantly to texts.
- balabaster 6y ago
  I even turned off the visual notifications on my email, facebook, linkedin, everything else that would normally give people the impression that my device is there for their benefit and not mine. The only audible notifications I get are from my girlfriend on WhatsApp and phone calls... which reminds me, I've put my phone down somewhere and I should probably go find it... after my cup of tea.