I honestly feel perfectly liberated with my iPhone. Yes, I have all these apps. That does not mean I must use them simply because they put a stupid notification up. Do I want to shop? No? Then why would I open Amazon? Do I want to look at what my friends are doing? No? Then why would I open Instagram?
I enjoy very much having the ability to remain in contact: with friends. Which is why those notifications are on, for various messaging apps. Work notifications are only on during work hours.
I also enjoy the time-wasting aspects of a few mobile games and some social media like Imgur. But like, I only use them when I am choosing to waste time, like if I'm waiting to meet someone and they're running late.
Am I that much of an outlier? My phone is a tool, an amazing tool to be sure, but so much of this is written as though people use theirs with shock collars attached; that they have no free will whatsoever and are utterly enslaved by the things.
that depends on where you draw the line of free will. I know people who use that exact same argument for why they use tik tok. They "enjoy the time-wasting aspects", especially in down time. To me it looks like they're stuck and their happiness is suffering.
The problem is what we think we want is shaped by society, culture, and now big tech companies. Instagram made the goal of millions of teenagers to "want" to get more followers. It was always of their own free will, and yet I would argue it was a huge net loss for teenagers and societies.
Staying in touch with friends is great, and tech like this makes it so much easier, especially when in different timezones/continents, but these days I just think you lose more than you gain. The same for filling in-between time with a game. It's fun and I want to do it, but my mind in the long run is happier when it's given space.
I enjoy very much having the ability to remain in contact: with friends. Which is why those notifications are on, for various messaging apps. Work notifications are only on during work hours.
I also enjoy the time-wasting aspects of a few mobile games and some social media like Imgur. But like, I only use them when I am choosing to waste time, like if I'm waiting to meet someone and they're running late.
Am I that much of an outlier? My phone is a tool, an amazing tool to be sure, but so much of this is written as though people use theirs with shock collars attached; that they have no free will whatsoever and are utterly enslaved by the things.