On one level I agree with what you’re saying. On a different one I really dislike the “just do it” attitude, when we’re dealing with software that has been engineered to be extremely addictive. Of course, you could tell a heroine addict or meth-head that they need to “just decide to quit”, but it’s well established that that doesn’t usually help much. Of course, it’s true that, bottom line, they “just” need to quit. However it’s reductionist to the point of no longer being helpful to suggest that as a solution in itself.
With e.g. social media (and other addictions) we should be doing more than just putting it on the individual to cut out their addiction. After all, they’re just an individual that’s fighting a huge for-profit industry that’s set up around keeping them addicted. Asking them to fight that battle alone is setting them up to fail.
I think my response is a bit more nuanced than “just do it.”
I acknowledge that it’s hard - that’s exactly why I’m laying out small, practical steps people can actually take instead of quitting cold turkey. Deleting social media is extreme and easier said than done, but something like not taking your phone to the bathroom is an easy daily habit anyone can start.
I’m just trying to highlight that it can be done - and it sure as hell isn’t “too late.”
On one level I agree with what you’re saying. On a different one I really dislike the “just do it” attitude, when we’re dealing with software that has been engineered to be extremely addictive. Of course, you could tell a heroine addict or meth-head that they need to “just decide to quit”, but it’s well established that that doesn’t usually help much. Of course, it’s true that, bottom line, they “just” need to quit. However it’s reductionist to the point of no longer being helpful to suggest that as a solution in itself.
With e.g. social media (and other addictions) we should be doing more than just putting it on the individual to cut out their addiction. After all, they’re just an individual that’s fighting a huge for-profit industry that’s set up around keeping them addicted. Asking them to fight that battle alone is setting them up to fail.
I think my response is a bit more nuanced than “just do it.”
I acknowledge that it’s hard - that’s exactly why I’m laying out small, practical steps people can actually take instead of quitting cold turkey. Deleting social media is extreme and easier said than done, but something like not taking your phone to the bathroom is an easy daily habit anyone can start.
I’m just trying to highlight that it can be done - and it sure as hell isn’t “too late.”
Well said, I see that I may have read your initial comment a bit too quickly and misinterpreted it a bit :)
All good man. Noting that things are nuanced is always welcome - especially online.