For the record Yer Honour, I was part of the cohort that designed the initial architecture of the modern smart phone. In 1987 while at Bell Northern Research I facilitated "Reachability - Portability" technical sessions with Industrial Designers, Industrial Psychologies, software, hardware and Northern Telecom Marketing types. We knew in 1987 that the random reinforcement schedule that this device would sport would be highly addictive. Sorry.
To our defence we did not deeply consider the unintended consequences of our actions. Classic case of "Just because you can doesn't mean you should"
There was a study a few years back, where the experimenters gave participants a mild electric shock. Then they asked those participants whether they would pay to NOT have another shock. 43 (i think it was) said yes they would (presumably because it was so unpleasant an experience). Then the researchers took those 43 people and put them in a room with nothing in it - no windows, no pictures, no furniture, and definitely no smartphone. But there was a single button. The participants had to stay in that room for 15 minutes, and the only interaction offered was another electric shock, if they pressed that button. The same electric shock they had previously said they would pay to avoid. 19 of those 43 individuals pressed the bloody button. 19. Some pressed it multiple times! Seriously they were so bored, so sad and so reluctant to talk to themselves or reflect silently on their own thoughts, that they would rather give themselves an electric shock. I’m not sure there are many more depressing studies that reflect the mess our society is in today.
I'm in.
For the record Yer Honour, I was part of the cohort that designed the initial architecture of the modern smart phone. In 1987 while at Bell Northern Research I facilitated "Reachability - Portability" technical sessions with Industrial Designers, Industrial Psychologies, software, hardware and Northern Telecom Marketing types. We knew in 1987 that the random reinforcement schedule that this device would sport would be highly addictive. Sorry.
To our defence we did not deeply consider the unintended consequences of our actions. Classic case of "Just because you can doesn't mean you should"
I'm in. I have some strategies.
A lot of good advice in this.
Let's hope with some self discipline
We can, I can, curb my addiction to all the doom and gloom.
Because, it's not good for you to be in a constant state of concern, or fixating on the next new idea, rush of dopamine or distractions.
Boredom can be beneficial
Even if it doesn't feel like it.
There was a study a few years back, where the experimenters gave participants a mild electric shock. Then they asked those participants whether they would pay to NOT have another shock. 43 (i think it was) said yes they would (presumably because it was so unpleasant an experience). Then the researchers took those 43 people and put them in a room with nothing in it - no windows, no pictures, no furniture, and definitely no smartphone. But there was a single button. The participants had to stay in that room for 15 minutes, and the only interaction offered was another electric shock, if they pressed that button. The same electric shock they had previously said they would pay to avoid. 19 of those 43 individuals pressed the bloody button. 19. Some pressed it multiple times! Seriously they were so bored, so sad and so reluctant to talk to themselves or reflect silently on their own thoughts, that they would rather give themselves an electric shock. I’m not sure there are many more depressing studies that reflect the mess our society is in today.
Wow.
It's actually quite amazing how domesticated and reliant we are today.
Needing constant stimulation.
Applause.
Comfort.
It's frustrating, and if anything perhaps this is a good wake up call for me to stop talking theory and start walking and creating action.
I don't want to be like that.