I like that this author called out YouTube as a specific type of addiction. It seems their main way of combatting the consuming side of their addiction is by creating.
I spent the last year writing a book about technology addiction. Through that process, it has helped me find better ways to fill my days and moderate how much time I spend on devices. There's also a good book called "Stolen Focus" that outlines a number of these challenges of quitting.
The main way I found to combat addiction was to change the consumer mindset to one of creation. Create something everyday no matter how shitty it is. Share it with the world when you're ready. While in that process of creating, find ways to block the outside world from invading your creativity so you can stay focused.
I tend to agree with you a lot, and find the process entirely terrifying. I've grown up with a history of being shut down and bullied when attempting to create (by teachers, peers, or mistakenly by family), and have as a result become an permanent observer to nearly everything. Only in the workplace have I turned things around because I could invoke the necessity to bypass everything else in order to make something tangible, but the private sphere is an endless battle to simply "feel" allowed and able to make something, and for it to be bad. As a result I also have a lot of respect for people who just do that constantly and got into the habit of it, and I think this is something we should encourage in others.
It is terrifying. The permissionless mindset comes with enough creating regardless of quality. Most people who don’t think they can create are often the best creators.
I spent the last year writing a book about technology addiction. Through that process, it has helped me find better ways to fill my days and moderate how much time I spend on devices. There's also a good book called "Stolen Focus" that outlines a number of these challenges of quitting.
The main way I found to combat addiction was to change the consumer mindset to one of creation. Create something everyday no matter how shitty it is. Share it with the world when you're ready. While in that process of creating, find ways to block the outside world from invading your creativity so you can stay focused.