It was still dark, but the traffic was lighting up nearly everything I could see. Not that I was looking around, I was surrendering my mind to the digital noise. Pictures. Publications. Updates. Switch screens. Five more minutes till the bus arrives. That’s what the app said. I didn’t even bother looking at the street to confirm, I just returned to scrolling. More pictures. More texts. More GIFs. More memes. One. Five. Ten. Twenty. Some of these status updates looked clever, others were strangely offensive, third were just downright stupid. Four more minutes. I was switching apps faster than the surrounding cars were passing by. Back to the distraction machine. I wasn’t searching for anything specific – I was simply looking. Actively avoiding spending time with my own thoughts by defaulting to what others thought.
Do we even have to talk about quitting social media? What, are we children? Children who haven’t yet developed the mental faculties to make rational decisions on their own.
We should!
We should have the uncomfortable conversation we keep postponing. We are uncontrollable.
While we can make complicated calculations, have the capacity to build better habits, and occasionally get struck by a proper idea, we are commonly circling in the realm of foolishness.
Because foolishness is the only way I can explain to my logic-seeking brain emerging trends like walking blindfolded into traffic or chocking yourself into a state of unconsciousness.1, 2
How do we get so attached?
Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.
But the more interesting question is: Why can’t we quit social media?
Through observation and book reading, I have created a strong case on why you will never quit social media, even if you want. Even if you need. Why, no matter how many publications, tips, or how-to videos you passionately consume on the topic of tempering your phone addiction, you remain hooked.3
Sure, there is FOMO. Boredom. Lack of self-control. The existential horror of facing your own thoughts. The fact that quitting isn’t easy. But there is one rarely discussed parasite nesting beneath all the more socially acceptable reasons why you can’t seem to quit using social media.
It’s…
Hey there, sorry to interrupt…
Since you’ve come this far, it seems that you are passionate about pursuing depth over distraction. I am too! And while what I’m about to say next probably won’t quite excite you, I have to say it…
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See, I digest acres of complex ideas from various resources and morph my findings into straight-to-the-point book summaries, thought-provoking articles, and practical courses. The main goal is not only to help you understand the underlying concepts from badass ideas. But, also, to help you stay curious, inspired, and well-educated. Above all, though, I want to help you transition from a passive online consumer to an active, mindful go-getter with a sense of purpose.
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Footnotes:
- Cruz, B. Top 10 most dangerous online challenges, Security.org. Available at: https://www.security.org/digital-safety/most-dangerous-online-challenges/
- Families sue tiktok after girls died while trying ‘blackout challenge’. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jul/05/tiktok-girls-dead-blackout-challenge
- My views in this post, besides the years of experience as a person living in the 21st century, are also heavily shaped by the thoughts of the author Erich Fromm. Especially his writings in these two books: Escape from Freedom and On Disobedience.
- The time I’m referring to is medieval Europe, from the 9th to 15th centuries. During the medieval period, Europe operated under a feudal system where individuals were bound to their social classes.
- Meritocracy. Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritocracy
