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Reconstructing our attention in the age of infinite digital rabbit holes (lithub.com)
23 points by PaulHoule on July 19, 2023 | hide | past | favorite | 4 comments



I've been toying with the idea of getting rid of my phone entirely and replacing it with a tablet and an LTE smart-watch. I figure they can handle basically all use-cases better. The watch can handle phone-calls, texts, 2fa, etc any time someone needs to reach me right away but won't allow me to scroll or waste time on it.

The tablet will handle browsing and actual conversations but I have to sit and do things intentionally instead of impulsively reaching for it.

Though a lot of those watches will only sync with a phone and not a tablet. I think this is intentional specifically to stop people from ditching their phones.


I've never had a smartphone because telcos don't invest in coverage in the valley I live in.

I have had a tablet of some description since 2011 and even use it as a "phone" with Skype. (Can't wait until they try to shush me at the public library and I point to the sign that says I can't use a "phone" except my typical call at the library lasts 30 seconds, like when the mechanic calls me to tell me I can pick up my car)

Most of the time-waster applications exist on tablets, however, except for the ones that have phone chauvinism. Funny how you can sideload about 75% of phone apps onto a NVIDIA Shield and they work just fine with a game controller.


I like the idea of using a tablet over a phone just because it's something you have to be a little more intentional about using it. I consider most of the things that smart-phones are used for to be a net-good. Social media is a great way to keep in touch with people, but it's also unhealthy to be plugged in 24/7.

But if I have a tablet I kinda have to use both hands, I can sit down to browse HN/reddit/twitter with intention, but I can't impulsively fall into the hole because I picked up the phone to do a 2fa.


If I had enough attention span to be able to read a book I would definitely buy this one :/




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