Confessions of a luddite fighting screen addiction
I used to run a blog called Refusing to Scroll. I suppose the idea was getting away from dopamine. Getting away from unlimited scrolling the cheap hits of dopamine associated.
Seven years later I still struggle with these algorithms. They’ve become even more intensely weaponised with the rise of short form video content. So still struggling there.
But I’m winning in some aspects, and I want to write a short series on the steps I take to have a more ‘analog’ life. Now I don’t mean analog in the traditional sense. I mean to escape the mess that is rentier capitalism whereby you are subscribed to anything, brain is flooded with everything and you own nothing. And you WILL be happy.
So come with me. I’ll email you each week with a short rant + a solution to the specific issue. End goal is to make us both happier, more connected and less frustrated.
I’ve learned that sadness is death by a thousand cuts and I’ve learned that happiness isn’t instant, but a slow accumulation of better habits through time.
So here’s the plan. One blog, twice a week. The blogs are split into four ‘sets’. Each set will start with a ‘scene setter’ which will be more emotional/philosophical and less practical. Each individual episode will go into a specific issue of the digital age, explain why it sucks and what you can do about it.
I’ll try make you laugh. I’ll go dark and light. I’ll take swipes at everyone (including myself). It’s tongue in cheek. I love you all.