7
minute Quick Read.
Japanese Olympic player addicted to mobile games raked
up 5000 $ (close to 4 Lac Indian Rs) bill and another player played Pokémon
at night, overslept and missed his Olympic game altogether.
up 5000 $ (close to 4 Lac Indian Rs) bill and another player played Pokémon
at night, overslept and missed his Olympic game altogether.
It’s not peculiar to Japanese. Technology addiction is not
only common but also play a harmful role in our life.
only common but also play a harmful role in our life.
A quick Google search shows many tips
and techniques to get rid of addictive games, social media, and new
technology.
and techniques to get rid of addictive games, social media, and new
technology.
He performed a live experiment. He mailed for voluntary
participation to subscribers of his blog. He anticipated 50 to 100 responses.
He was flooded with 1600 volunteers. The event made national news.
participation to subscribers of his blog. He anticipated 50 to 100 responses.
He was flooded with 1600 volunteers. The event made national news.
Through experiment & careful study, the author came with
a concrete way to address addiction.
a concrete way to address addiction.
Your technology addiction plus a strong billion of investment
pull by big tech firms make it almost impossible to get rid of. So if you
really want to escape from the clutches, – quick fixes and tips don’t
work. Book suggests radical suggestions
in three steps.
pull by big tech firms make it almost impossible to get rid of. So if you
really want to escape from the clutches, – quick fixes and tips don’t
work. Book suggests radical suggestions
in three steps.
Step #1:
Decide optional
technology. Optional technology doesn’t impact work or personal life.
Thus work-email is not optional – it is a necessity. So what-ever distracts you
but not vital for personal or professional life is optional. Games, Television
is optional, a microwave isn’t. WhatsApp is optional if it is a personal tool.
But it is used for sales calls, then not.
technology. Optional technology doesn’t impact work or personal life.
Thus work-email is not optional – it is a necessity. So what-ever distracts you
but not vital for personal or professional life is optional. Games, Television
is optional, a microwave isn’t. WhatsApp is optional if it is a personal tool.
But it is used for sales calls, then not.
Step #2
Take a 30 days
break from technology! Yes, you
read it correctly. The author advises 30 days complete break from optional technologies. If it is
not possible in some areas, then the workaround is ok. But take a break from
all distractions. First one or two weeks
you may find it difficult, but then you will realize the futility of clinging
to them.
break from technology! Yes, you
read it correctly. The author advises 30 days complete break from optional technologies. If it is
not possible in some areas, then the workaround is ok. But take a break from
all distractions. First one or two weeks
you may find it difficult, but then you will realize the futility of clinging
to them.
Another important thing is to find engaging and satisfying activities for you. You may
want to learn music, read books, play with your kids or walk with your spouse holding
hands. Just find and cultivate quality
better alternatives in life. Alternatives that make your life rich in
quality.
want to learn music, read books, play with your kids or walk with your spouse holding
hands. Just find and cultivate quality
better alternatives in life. Alternatives that make your life rich in
quality.
Step #3
After 30 days, slowly add the necessary technology back in
life. But don’t do it like typical detox. In typical detox, people fully indulge
in it. In 30days most people lose
their taste in technology. He provides three key questions to ask before adding technology back in life.
life. But don’t do it like typical detox. In typical detox, people fully indulge
in it. In 30days most people lose
their taste in technology. He provides three key questions to ask before adding technology back in life.
- 1The
first check is necessary. For instance, one interested in political
news turns to allsides.org. Or instead of doing networking online, you can
start doing it in the real physical world. If still, you find that the
technology then three questions are – - First
Question – is this technology support
the value that I want to nurture in life. For example –if you value learning
or value spending quality time with family, will this technology help? - Second Question – is this the best way to
nurture that value? Is there an alternative? For example, instead of keeping in
touch on messages, you may want to call or meet your contacts in person
occasionally – which is a more
satisfying and meaningful option. - Third Question – set boundaries – how will you use this technology in day to
day life. For example, you may decide to use Facebook only on weekends, or LinkedIn
only 30 minutes per day. Thus even if necessary, set strict rules for using technology.
These three steps, and three questions – help us not only to
get rid of technology addiction but bring meaning and satisfaction in life.
get rid of technology addiction but bring meaning and satisfaction in life.
One doesn’t need to sacrifice lovely relationships, miss
important events/presentations or meetings nor waste huge money owing to
addiction. You just need to start
somewhere, so to start with, let’s first decide a 30-day break from the
technology!
important events/presentations or meetings nor waste huge money owing to
addiction. You just need to start
somewhere, so to start with, let’s first decide a 30-day break from the
technology!
[This is my take or review of Chapter 3 of Cal
Newport’s digital
Minimalism]
Newport’s digital
Minimalism]
