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> It's not the phone itself that they issue, it's the content." I don't think that's true, at best it's both. It's the phone that enables a more frictionless a

> It's not the phone itself that they issue, it's the content." I don't think that's true, at best it's both. It's the phone that enables a more frictionless access to the content. Having a speed bump to access the same content would make a large difference which is why the alternatives in the article are proving effective, the act of accessing something is less mindless, and more deliberate. I think the point they're making is that not everyone has the discipline or motive to evaluate and remove things.

ToucanLoucan 2y ago
Bingo. For people like me my phone is indispensable, not as a source of endless distractions (though I dabble like anyone) but I put everything in my phone. It's literally an extension of my brain, because my brain is bad at remembering things, so every last thing goes in the phone. Plans with friends, important dates in relationships, birthdays, I have calendar reminders for practically everything going on in my life, and even a bunch strictly for work. My reminders app is packed to the gills with everything from random little to-dos to full-bore projects I'm working on, with notes and documentation in other apps to boot. It's one of the reasons I'm still an ardent Apple user, the fluidity I have between my tablets, phone and Mac is essential for my workflows. I just couldn't use a PC full time, even if I wanted to.
- giantrobot 2y ago
  > but I put everything in my phone Same here. After using even the original iPhone for a few months I started describing using it like being a cyborg. My pocket cybernetic tool let me actually (usefully) keep my calendar with me, gave me real access to my email, and let me look up random bits of data wherever I was (modulo Cingular/AT&T's shitty EDGE service). It's only gained more capabilities as time has gone on. I have zero social media apps and disable pretty much all notifications. My phone is a digital brain extension and reading device. I'll take pictures of random crap or where I parked to augment memory. Phones do not have to just be dopamine distribution devices.
- rickydroll 2y ago
  I'm the same. I use my phone for tracking consulting activity, notetaking, banking, parking, PayPal monitoring blood glucose, navigation, instant messaging (three apps) authentication, whether hiking maps, town notifications for trash pickup, email, birding, astronomy, away from home charge point, I also have a half-dozen apps I shouldn't have on my phone like YouTube, streaming services web toons, Craigslist, medium. If I move the distraction apps off of top level visibility and access as well and mostly turn off all notifications, it becomes much more reasonable tool to have.

ToucanLoucan 2y ago

Bingo. For people like me my phone is indispensable, not as a source of endless distractions (though I dabble like anyone) but I put everything in my phone. It's literally an extension of my brain, because my brain is bad at remembering things, so every last thing goes in the phone. Plans with friends, important dates in relationships, birthdays, I have calendar reminders for practically everything going on in my life, and even a bunch strictly for work. My reminders app is packed to the gills with everything from random little to-dos to full-bore projects I'm working on, with notes and documentation in other apps to boot. It's one of the reasons I'm still an ardent Apple user, the fluidity I have between my tablets, phone and Mac is essential for my workflows. I just couldn't use a PC full time, even if I wanted to.

giantrobot 2y ago
> but I put everything in my phone Same here. After using even the original iPhone for a few months I started describing using it like being a cyborg. My pocket cybernetic tool let me actually (usefully) keep my calendar with me, gave me real access to my email, and let me look up random bits of data wherever I was (modulo Cingular/AT&T's shitty EDGE service). It's only gained more capabilities as time has gone on. I have zero social media apps and disable pretty much all notifications. My phone is a digital brain extension and reading device. I'll take pictures of random crap or where I parked to augment memory. Phones do not have to just be dopamine distribution devices.
rickydroll 2y ago
I'm the same. I use my phone for tracking consulting activity, notetaking, banking, parking, PayPal monitoring blood glucose, navigation, instant messaging (three apps) authentication, whether hiking maps, town notifications for trash pickup, email, birding, astronomy, away from home charge point, I also have a half-dozen apps I shouldn't have on my phone like YouTube, streaming services web toons, Craigslist, medium. If I move the distraction apps off of top level visibility and access as well and mostly turn off all notifications, it becomes much more reasonable tool to have.