To start I am a huge fan of movies, tv shows, computer software programs, the internet, and all the cool things that technology has to offer.
Second, I love being outside and playin on all the fun toys, from mountain to road biking, snow to skateboarding, and surfing to bodysurfing. I love it all; even the things that I’m not so great at like bouldering.
Now taking a step back and taking a look at where we are headed. Today binging a show and “piling out” on the couch is normal and acceptable. Thanks to entertainment companies who release entire series at once there has been a change and increase in media consumption.
To add on top of that, there is social media and mobile apps that have been becoming increasingly addicting. This due to the fact that tech companies design and engineer with the goal of keeping your attention for as long as possible.
The Social Dilemma (2020) released on Netflix last year; shined some light on two rather nerve racking subjects. One being the selling and sharing of user data as companies profile individuals for advertisement purposes. While the other shocking topic of companies intentionally developing apps to make them addictive; comparative to gambling or a drug addiction.
On the large scale there needs to be both policy change at a national/global level as well as companies finding new and different business models. Which are both slow moving changes.
So what can you do? Well to start you may listen to Tristan Harris, a leader in sharing information on this subject.
If you like podcasts try out Harris’s interview with Joe Rogan: here
or
If you would like to read on the subject; check out this New York Times article: here
Other things we can do as a community is to support companies that have ethics and standards and don’t compromise for profits. This is easier said and done. The only way that this would work if its organized and executed with a large number of people who say boycott together. Perhaps the only way that selective consuming would work is if groups are lead by strong leaders who would lay out actionable plans.
The second way out of this mess is with new tech companies and apps. These companies would need to be different by having business and revenue models that don’t depend on selling user data. In addition they would have to walk the line of creating an app that doesn’t take advantage of the users primal brain. It’s a tall order, but what other options do we have? (please comment below if you have any ideas)
Harris said it best with:
“This is a profound spiritual moment. We need to understand our natural strengths — our capacity for self-awareness and critical thinking, for reasoned debate and reflection — as well as our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and the parts of ourselves that we’ve lost control over.”
Tristan Harris
In a world where technology is being developed and taking advantage of our vulnerabilities its important to continuously monitor our relationship with technology. For the internet and technology can be used in a positive way to improve lives. There are countless accounts where technology has improved medicine and saved lives and so on.
The importance is to consciously steer our tech in a direction that benefits the collective rather than create profit for a few.
In finding ways to have a healthy relationship with your phone, computer, gaming system, and other devices that seek our attention; there needs to be boundaries. For me personally I am shocked when seeing people watch tv in bed. Association is key here, for the bedroom should be where you sleep, dress, and prepare yourself for the outside world. I can’t help to worry when seeing people lying on their bed scrolling on their phone or on their computer.
My stance is that one should create areas with purpose. A couch and entertainment area should be a place to lounge, scroll, tweet and all that, but one should be mindful on the placement of their ‘lounge area’. What does your house layout say about you? What is the size of your kitchen space compared to your entertainment space? Do they overlap? How often is the tv on?
Asking question like these and reassessing your home environment could help create the changes that you desire. Your priorities can be reflected in your repeated actions that happen during the day. The trick is to catch what can slide past our conscious mind.
With a busy life we create automatic actions and thoughts, but never think to reflect on them. Why am I doing this, do I want to be doing this, how would I like to be… A kind gentle probing of what we do and who we are becoming is healthy. While an intensive and critical examination of ourselves can be harmful. Mindfulness is key.
So be kind to yourself along the path of self development. Be patient for change takes awhile. There is no need or winning in fighting against yourself, so enjoy the ride.
Peace and love my friends – Keep a cool warmth out there, cheers!
