Unplugged: How Overconsumption of Tech Is Turning Men into Machines

ave you ever stopped to think about how much time you spend glued to your phone or computer screen? How long do you think about the game or experience you had on a social media platform after you are no longer connected? By stepping away and evaluating our relationship with technology, we can better understand whether we have the control over it, or it has the control over us.

Is it the Technology or is it Our Nature?

Let's start with the basics. The use of advanced technology in society, or our addiction to it, is not a new concept. We are simply adding a new tool to our belts as we navigate this life experience. However, the complexity of modern technology mixed with the busyness of life has created a perfect storm: we either blindly adopt the new shiny toy, or criticize it like we are one step closer to the apocalypse, without having a detailed understanding of how it works. Both are bound to a level of unfortunate ignorance. If we are to gain control back, a deeper understanding of the technology with the technologies that companies use to profit on our time is required. Technology companies are acutely aware of the human desire for instant gratification and the psychological reward systems that can be triggered by our smartphones. Tactics are utilized to create a habit-forming loop that keeps people coming back to their devices, such as:

• Emotional triggers: Many apps and websites use emotional triggers, such as nostalgia or excitement, to keep users engaged and coming back for more.
• Social pressure: Many apps and websites use social pressure to encourage users to keep coming back. For example, social media platforms show users how many likes or followers they have, creating a sense of social validation and incentivizing them to keep using the platform.
• Variable rewards: Notifications and alerts trigger a release of dopamine in the brain and create a sense of urgency that keeps users glued to their screens. One such technique is the use of variable rewards, where users are offered unpredictable rewards (such as likes, shares, or messages) at varying or delayed intervals to create a sense of anticipation and excitement.‍
• Bottomless Bowls: Chipotle-Style digital products where users can scroll endlessly through an infinite feed of content, never reaching the end and always wanting more. ‍
• Algorithms: Scary, mind-reading, soul-sucking... I mean, creative and highly-personalized experiences, that are tailored to each user's preferences and behaviors, further increasing the likelihood of consumption and/or addiction.

While these techniques can be highly effective at keeping users engaged, they can also have serious negative consequences on mental and physical health, making it important for individuals to be mindful of their technology use and to take steps to limit their screen time. We are beings that have a built-in addictive nature that can lead to success or mindless scrolling through images of people we most likely will never meet. We might as well be walking around with slot machines in our pocket. Freedom starts with recognizing we are to blame, not these tech companies, and taking Ownership over the way we interact and consume modern technology.  

Not Just a Millennial Problem

The research firm RescueTime found that the average smartphone user checks their device more than 80 times per day. He also cites an article in the Harvard Business Review by Larry Rosen, a research psychologist and author, who argues that the constant interruptions from our phones can decrease productivity and increase stress. Imagine having someone standing next to you day and night smacking you in the face in hopes to get your attention.

• Most mobile phone users check their phones up to 63 - 80 times daily.
• Americans spend an average screen time of 5.4 hours on their mobile phones daily.
• There will be over 311.53 million smartphone users in America by 2025.
• Social media is responsible for 2 hours and 24 minutes of global internet time spent online by an average user daily.
• 13% of millennials spend over 12 hours on their phones daily.  
• Baby Boomers spend 5 hours using their phones daily.
• Millennials spend 48 minutes texting every day [1]

Our brains are hardwired to avoid pain and seek out rewards, but breaking free from our addiction to technology and getting uncomfortable can lead to some serious personal growth, meaningful connections, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us. So, if you're tired of the endless scroll through the echo chamber, it's time to embrace the discomfort and unplug for a bit.

Unplugging is a way to declare our independence from the technologies that have overrun so much of our lives. We can reclaim our time, our focus, and our relationships by taking one day a week to step back and disconnect. [Tiffany Shlain]

Future Generations

Have you ever noticed how children react when a device or screen is taken away from them? Does it end regularly in joy or screaming? Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, the author of Glow Kids, presents evidence in his book that screen time can lead to a host of problems, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and even psychosis in children. He also argues that the constant stimulation of screens can alter the brain's reward system, making it difficult for children to regulate their emotions and behavior. Furthermore, Kardaras notes that excessive screen time can lead to a decline in academic performance, as children spend less time reading, studying, and interacting with their peers. [2] The current generation raising young children is the first generation that grew up with internet access, and are the ones who still have the horrible dial-up screech permeating through their ears. Through that horrible sound, there must be a call for parents to better understand the impact it had on them, as well as how to better approach and control technology as a new age dawns with Web 3.0 and artificial intelligence. Remember the ownership of our children's attachment to technology is solely in our hands. Let us use it as a tool, and not a crutch to keep them entertained.

Though looked at as a prophetic dystopian future, the movie Ready Player One has a hopeful and promising ending; we will thrive alongside modern technology, as long as we can prioritize our real world relationships and set a baseline of universally ethical principles to the practices around modern technology. As Halliday in the movie so simply reminds us, "Reality is the only thing that's real."

Challenge:

Commit to taking one step at a time to help establish a tech hygiene and regain control of your time. See the Objective(s) for ideas.

Post your progress in The Old Gate - Discord Channel - 🏆︱reach-the-milestone

Objective(s):

1. Avoid using your phone for the first hour when you wake up & the last hour before bed.
2. Expose yourself to natural light before artificial light. Motivation: Studies show natural sunlight of 20-30 minutes a day increase testosterone and romantic relationships. [3]‍
3. Incrementally decrease your time using an electronic device. Aim for 24 completely free.
4. Turn off notifications. At minimum, put notifications on silent.
5. During times of required focus, put your phone out of view. Create a dedicated phone landing pad.
6. Turn your phone on "Airplane Mode" at night. Bonus: Unplug your Wi-Fi at night.
7. Use a physical alarm clock instead of relying on your phone.
8. Consider tracking your usage with applications such as; RescueTime, Qustodio, or unGlue.
9. Rock some sweet spectacles. Check out: Gunnar‍
10. Avoid introducing technology, video games, or screens to your kids for as long as you can. They're developing brains are impacted exponentially.
11. Consume content online that will challenge you. Try to avoid only consuming short or quick content that barely holds your attention.
12. Get Uncomfortable - challenge yourself to seek rewards that will have tangible outcomes in life.