Unplugged: How Overconsumption of Tech Is Turning Men into Machines

ave you ever stopped to consider how much time you spend glued to your phone or computer screen? How long do you dwell on the game you played or the social media experience you had after disconnecting? By stepping back and evaluating our relationship with technology, we can better understand whether we control it, or it controls us. Is it the technology, or is it our nature?

Is it the Technology or is it Our Nature?

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Let's start with the basics. The use of advanced technology in society, or our addiction to it, is not a new concept. We're simply adding another tool to our belts as we navigate life. However, the complexity of modern technology, combined with the busyness of life, has created a perfect storm: we either blindly adopt the latest shiny gadget or criticize it as if it's bringing us closer to the apocalypse, often without a deep understanding of how it works. Both approaches are rooted in a level of unfortunate ignorance.

To regain control, we need a deeper understanding of the technology itself and the strategies companies use to profit from our time. Technology companies are acutely aware of our desire for instant gratification and the psychological reward systems triggered by our smartphones. They use tactics to create habit-forming loops that keep us coming back, 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: Platforms 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 effectively keep users engaged, they can also have serious negative consequences on mental and physical health. It’s important for individuals to be mindful of their technology use and take steps to limit screen time. We are beings with a built-in addictive nature that can lead to either success or mindless scrolling through images of people we may never meet. It’s as if we’re carrying slot machines in our pockets. Freedom begins with recognizing that we are responsible, not the tech companies, and taking ownership of how we interact with and consume modern technology.

Not Just a Millennial Problem

Research by the firm RescueTime found that the average smartphone user checks their device more than 80 times a day. Additionally, Larry Rosen, a research psychologist and author, argues in an article for the Harvard Business Review that the constant interruptions from our phones can decrease productivity and increase stress. Imagine having someone standing next to you day and night, constantly trying to grab your attention—it’s exhausting and overwhelming.

• 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 wired to avoid pain and seek rewards, but breaking free from our technology addiction and embracing discomfort can lead to significant personal growth, more meaningful connections, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us. If you’re tired of the endless scroll through the echo chamber, it might be 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 usually end in joy or with screaming? Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, author of Glow Kids, presents compelling evidence that excessive screen time can lead to a range of issues in children, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. He argues that the constant stimulation from 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 contribute to declining academic performance, as children spend less time reading, studying, and interacting with their peers.

The current generation of parents, who grew up with early internet access (and still remember the screech of dial-up), must recognize the impact technology has had on them. As Web 3.0 and artificial intelligence emerge, it’s crucial for parents to understand and manage their children's relationship with technology. The responsibility for our children's attachment to technology lies entirely in our hands. We should use technology as a tool, not a crutch, to keep them entertained.

While Ready Player One is often viewed as a prophetic dystopian tale, it ends on a hopeful note: we can thrive alongside modern technology as long as we prioritize real-world relationships and establish ethical principles for its use. As Halliday in the movie 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.