Quit social media - Dr Cal Newport Flashcards
We are happier and better off without social media,
We can become more successful professionally without social media.
3 most common objections to using social media:
1/ To reject social media would be an act of Luddism (philosophy opposing many forms of modern technology)
Social media is better understood as a source of entertainment. You’re offered shiny treats in exchange for minutes of your attention and bytes of your personal data, which is packaged up and sold off.
It is not a major political stance to reject social media.
Many social media companies hire attention engineers, who borrow principles from Las Vegas casinos to try and make the experience as addictive as possible.
2/ It is vital to my success in the 21st century economy. How will I succeed without a well-curated brand?
The market values what is rare and valuable - deep concentrated work.
3/ It’s harmless and I have some fun on there
Social media brings well documented significant harm.
These tools are designed to fragment your attention every waking hour.
If you spend large portions of your day in a state of fragmented attention, this can permanently reduce your capacity for concentration.
The more you use social media, the more you are likely to feel lonely or isolated. We know that the constant exposure to the carefully-curated online portrayals of your friend’s lives can leave you to feel inadequate and depressed.
There is a pervasive hum of background anxiety if we are constantly using social media.
If you treat your attention with respect, and preserve your ability to concentrate, you can actually do one thing after another with intensity. This is the essence of productivity.
