When I took a break from Twitter a few weeks ago, I thought I might spend more time back in Bloggerville. But, as time goes on, I find I'm spending less time on the computer. One of the things that caused me to look at social media and my computer time more closely was a segment on 60 Minutes a few months ago that talked of smartphone apps, which are also found in different versions on laptops. One of the creators of these social apps talked of their addictive nature, how they create a sense of loneliness, anxiety, and other things associated with addiction. Most notably, they can actually rewire your brain. Yes, rewire your brain.
Then, I read an article from The Guardian which also covered this topic and offered more insight into this flat screen phenomena. There were statements in this article that were real wake up calls for me. This was one:
"It is revealing that many of these younger technologists are weaning themselves off their own products, sending their children to elite Silicon Valley schools where iPhones, iPads and even laptops are banned."
As with all things, one can argue for balance. But, the nature of addiction is such that we have trouble identifying "balance" with any real measure of honesty. I have had to look at my own computer use with an unflinching eye and have made some major adjustments. Here's the article in case you are interested in learning more about this:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/05/smartphone-addiction-silicon-valley-dystopia?CMP=share_btn_tw
An interesting article. Thanks for pointing me to it, Teresa.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Jan. :)
DeleteI had been cutting back for quite a while on computer time in general...and then Trump got elected. Been looking at news online (I don't have regular TV) almost every day. Following it like I did during Watergate. Well, not as much as I did during Watergate, but adding on to my screen time, for sure. Still trying to cut back on blogland time. I'm barely on facebook at all--just post my blog for the people who asked me to do that--not on twitter or any of the other social media sites but still spend too much time on the computer. Good reminder. Always feels like falling down the rabbit hole. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was my fixation with the Trumping of America that caused me to look at this more closely. I was tired of starting and ending every day angry if not outraged. Yes, following it like Watergate.
DeleteI do still very much appreciate the efficiency of communication on the computer. It was how it was determining my day more than I liked and the fact that we are being manipulated that has caused me to look at and adjust my time.
It is a question of balance but I was having trouble with that. Overall, I'm happier being off Twitter and am not on FB so I feel a greater sense of control regained. :)
I feel so relieved after yesterday so glad I was still watching. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end! :) :)
DeleteYes! It is heartening to see some progress.
DeleteIndeed, quite interesting.I've been consciously working on weaning myself off of the news!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good place to start! I'm so tired of the constant drama.
DeleteI'll check it out. I use my blog as a catalog for my recipes, gardening and pottery and I enjoy writing; I confess during the elections I spent too much time on fb and even the tv too much. I am slowly weaning myself off of both of those and spending more time reading; I rarely tweet. I do belong to a group on fb for pottery and that is very useful to me. Yesterday I was writing chapters to a book I want to write and I found myself trying to remember how to write in cursive capital letters and there were several letters I couldn't even remember how to write; I plan to look them up, then I started wondering if some youngsters would even actually be able to read something written in cursive. I'll check out the article, thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour pottery surely has helped you find a balance and being able to promote it and find community among fellow potters is important.
DeleteI do wonder if cursive is still being taught. It bothers me that computers are essential in most schools now. It's not a good direction for our young people, and family time is being eroded by them I fear.
Thanks for your comment, Linda.
One of my sons was over day before yesterday and we talked about social media. I told him I'd never been on Facebook or Twitter because I didn't think it would be good for me. He agreed, having known me 45 years. He is a senior software adviser for our State's retirement dept. I told him it's hard sometimes not to give in to friends and relatives urging me to put more time into social media --but I prefer the complete thoughts of good minds on Blogger. He gave me his kind look and assured me the best approach to social media is to stop with what suits you. He knows me pretty good.
ReplyDelete"The complete thoughts of good minds on Blogger," is why I"m back here. I missed the community of folks like you who understand and have no agenda except community. It's a kinder, gentler place to be. :)
DeleteI'm certainly finding Twitter fuels anxiety, particularly in view of the political situation here in the UK. I'm cutting down and will probably cut out in the end, but the tug of wanting to know what everyone else is ranting about is still there unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI understand that desire to see how everyone else is feeling/saying .... It really does fuel one's anxiety. Letting go of it has brought me a great deal more peace.
DeleteWe are addicted to many things. I personally would say that addiction has become a most corruptive agent in the current affairs of the world, be it at individual level, societal or nation. Sometimes I wonder if technological advances are enslaving us to the degree of getting addicted to many things around us or helping us in our survival. I didn’t realise that I am addicted to many things until I realised that most of the time I can’t afford to live without this ‘certain mannerisms of life’. To strike a balance is not easy, but if one can find that, then life is nothing but bliss. Thanks for sharing this wonderful article.
ReplyDeleteI agree, wholeheartedly. I do think we all need to look at the enslaving aspects of technology. And, you are right, it isn't easy to strike a balance, but it is what I'm trying to do. It is an ongoing effort but getting easier. :)
DeleteThank you, so much, for reading and responding.
Maybe you no longer blog. I enjoyed your site and came back to see if.... Here is a link I got in my email recently regarding the addictive social media. Hope you have found this comment. I knew long ago that the social medias were not a good thing and now this article has proven me correct.
ReplyDeleteWhy Facebook is so toxic...
It was DESIGNED to be that way.
Video:
https://www.nextworldtv.com/page/33656.html