Tiny digital breaks

Small changes, big impact

Hi there,

In 2013, when I deleted my Instagram account, Instagram was mostly a photo-editing app. I took a 7-year-long break from the app; I never thought I would go back. I did and I'm leaving again. I need a life-time break from social media.

Five things to share:

1. The digital world can be all-consuming, and there is a very good reason for that: Attention = Profit. That constant itch to glance at your phone incessantly? It is a natural reaction to apps and websites engineered to capture your attention. The more big tech learns about the inner workings and vulnerabilities of our psychology, the easier they can keep us glued to our screens. One way to resist the attention economy is to take tiny digital breaks.

2. If you’re into dystopian novels or want to see what all the hype is about (yes, please!), check out Anthem by Ayn Rand. Only about 100-pages long, the story takes place in the future when mankind has entered another Dark Age, and technological advancement is now carefully planned and the concept of individuality has been eliminated. Published in 1938, it is still as refreshing, insightful, and horrifying look into the cost of collectivism.

3. How to Do a 30 Day Digital Declutter Part I: Take a Break is a 14-minute video on one person’s journey undergoing a 30-day digital declutter by evaluating all the digital technologies in their life, keeping what is essential and discarding the rest.

4. A quote I want to share with you this week:

   Take care of the days and the years will take care of themselves.
   — Maria Edgeworth

   The tiny daily actions, or inactions, add up over time.

5. You are never going to finish the internet so might as well switch it off and give yourself a digital break. Spending time online must be an elective experience rather than a default setting: Not just because of old-fashioned, don’t-forget-to-smell-the-roses idealism (although there is that) but because your online time is valuable to a whole load of people who aren’t you.

That’s all for this week!

Thank you for reading, and please share with anyone you think may benefit.

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Until next time,

Mehret