Dumb Phone

I want my “smart” phone to be just smart enough not too smart. “Smart” phones were revolutionary when they came out in the market around 2007 with iPhone announcement in macworld and following immediately with Android, phones exploded. We immediately had Phone, Music Player, Navigation, Browser all in one hardware that you can carry in your pocket. This was revolutionary. Our hardware become so powerful, our phones are simply a mini super computer we carry around. Apps were built, soon the whole ecosystem blew up. We now have constant stream of apps and some apps are primarily built around constant engagement with notifications and reminders. Apps get us into Dopamine loops like “Like, comments, notifications…”. Even a quick check for something suddenly disturbs the flow. This context switching, dopamine loops and Infinite scrolls are draining energy. Now suddenly smartphone was making me dumb. I want a dumb phone to make me smarter again (potentially)

I know you might be saying “intentional use” phone is what we need, not a dumb phone. But human beings are not intentional by nature. We are wired for survival, habits and impulses. It is not our default mode. Of course, we can develop that. Intention requires awareness and effort. This is where mindfulness and reflections come in, but that’s for another day. Even they have apps. They will notify and distract you to come to their app to be mindful … haha… irony.

Well, I am looking for my phone to dumb or do the essentials i.e. help me be connected to my friends, family and make me productive.

P. S: Now new iPhone is coming out…. lol : -)

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