Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

>But I’m not at a point where I want to just toss my phone in the corner and forget about it either.

Why not? it works.




Yeah... I do exactly that fairly frequently (often enough it's a running gag in my family that if you want to call me - call my wife, since I won't have my phone.)

It turns out that your phone is an incredible tool, but only if taken in small doses. In larger doses - it's a nightmare device, actively designed and engineered to suck as much free time from you as possible.

The answer is simple: Stop using it except for explicit reasons.

If I want to dick around with tech - I'll use my desktop/laptop.

My phone is for

- Checking messages twice a day, once in the morning, once in the evening (sometimes more frequently if I'm coordinating with or meeting folks).

- Maps & GPS

- Shared internet connection if I need to use my laptop while out and about

- Unlocking my e-bike

That's it. I'm down to about 5 total apps I open (phone/camera/messages/maps/ebike) and I have never liked my phone more.

5 years ago I was on my phone all the time and miserable. It's much better to lug around a magazine or kindle, or turn on a podcast. Just don't get sucked into the time trap that "social media" is engineered to be. It's literally digital cancer.

Basically - don't open websites or social media apps at all.


>Yeah... I do exactly that fairly frequently (often enough it's a running gag in my family that if you want to call me - call my wife, since I won't have my phone.)

I am a big fan of leaving my phone in a different room if i am coding or in the car if i am building something. Problem is i run a business now and i have to be reachable, in case someone calls.

But i dont use any apps other than maps on my phone nowadays.

>If I want to dick around with tech - I'll use my desktop/laptop.

That is exactly what i do.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: