How to Stare at Your Phone Without Losing Your Soul
The problem is that internet is both a library and a public place. You need library for information and for work, and internet delivers here better than anything else - almost any information is available instantly. But unlike library with silence and no distractions you&#x27;re at the same time in the middle of the giant public square, where all the people from your social circle also available instantly.<p>It&#x27;s like studying in the middle of the giant party. Of course you can plug in noise cancellation headphones and find dark corner, but you brain knows that all people you care about are right here.<p>If you want to share some thoughts or check on someone in the library you have no choice – you can&#x27;t talk to them, or have to go outside. But internet removes this constraint.<p>I really believe this social aspect of reachability of people (friends, haters or some people on internet you follow) is crucial. It&#x27;s not about apps or a screen time, it&#x27;s about social connection (even ephemeral) that gives this gratification and makes our brains summoning the apps.