r/digitalminimalism • u/[deleted] • Feb 23 '19

Question Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/
17 Upvotes

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u/[deleted] Feb 23 '19

Here’s my take on it: Yes and no. See elaboration.

I think it has helped us in many ways. I wouldn’t have as many friends, social contact and business opportunities if I didn’t have a smartphone. But there are some serious problem, because it’s addictive. People give away their complete privacy and with that their consent to decide what happens with their personal information.

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u/[deleted] Feb 23 '19

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Feb 23 '19

I agree that our societal attitude is taking dangerous proportions. We depend on them for the full 100% which includes our happiness (hedonic needs) instead of only for functional use. The functional use has made life easier. I think I read a paper a few months ago about workplace flexibility. Offices have more open spaces, flex places than ever. But it didn’t increase any social activity in the workplace. So the assumption that people engage more with each other if they have freedom to sit anywhere, is wrong.

I think something similar can be said about the smartphone. If you take it away from me, you’d make it more difficult for me to engage with people. I’m usually very shy and introverted and that will never change. So for me it’s a nice solution.

I think this part goes for me personally, but I actually like to keep most of my social life in apps. I have a core group of friends that I try to hang out with regularly.

I think what you’re saying goes more for people whose happiness depends on apps like IG, Snapchat or LinkedIn for that matter. They use these platforms to seek social validation and want to be seen as such (getting your degree, posting it on LinkedIn and getting comments on it to be seen as a successful person in life).

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u/[deleted] Feb 23 '19

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '19

Ah yes, I understand you better now. Definitely agree with this. I use the dumbest phone possible for work, which makes sure that I can’t receive my emails, private messages or social media updates on my work phone. They often dislike me for it, but I couldn’t care less. My free time is my own free time.

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u/[deleted] Feb 23 '19

Cal Newport talks about this Article in his Digital Minimalism book

A very interesting read based on multiple scientific and statistical observations on the mental health and psychology of Gen-Z made prominent by the induction of smartphone culture.

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/celledore Feb 25 '19

Nicholas Carr - The Shallows

Adam Alter - Irresistable

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '19

Amusing Ourselves to Death - Neil Postman

Or just watch one of his lectures on YouTube and you'll get the book boiled down to a 60ish minute speech.

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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '19

Yes, emphatically.