Why is phone so addictive?

[Julian gabriel]

It seems to me that while on my phone my mind is being contained so that I don't have to deal with its freedom. And this sedated state is comfortable but robs me of my creativity.

Anyone else have any insight into why screens are so addictive? 

Edited March 8, 2022 by Julian gabriel

[happyhappy]

@Julian gabriel the same reason why porn is addictive.

they are made to be. phones and the applications are designed to keep the users engaged for the most time as possible. that's how they make revenue by making us watch ads and all

[StarStruck]

If you have an iphone you can program your phone so it only notifies you an x amount of times per day. I have it programmed that it only notifies me 3 times per day. You really have to be proactive with technology, otherwise it will dominate your mind.

[zurew]

Because, especially facebook and youtube are optimised for time on site (not just those ones). If you have a business model where you want people to stay on your site (because it will make you the most amount of profit), you are incentivised to do so. You can have thousands of smart engineers and psychologists and neurologists insight to make a website/system where everyone is hooked on. Most of the time on these kind of sites, there will be artificial intelligence used as well. Now, you have a certain amount of freewill to fight certain kind of stimulies, but it can only get you so far. When you try to have a fight with an AI you will lose, and the AI just only get better and better. Its so addictive now on so many levels, that most people can't get off of it.

[Loba]

 

[Javfly33]

Thoughts are addictive

[Preety_India]

I think it comes down to neurological reasons. If you have underlying issues like loneliness and boredom and or do not have a strong purpose or focused life, everyday things like phone and social media will easily consume your focus and attention. 

Work out those deeper issues. Be firm with your goals and action plans. Then you won't be so distracted or addicted. 

 

[Javfly33]

9 hours ago, Preety_India said:

I think it comes down to neurological reasons. If you have underlying issues like loneliness and boredom and or do not have a strong purpose or focused life, everyday things like phone and social media will easily consume your focus and attention. 

Work out those deeper issues. Be firm with your goals and action plans. Then you won't be so distracted or addicted. 

 

☝️???

[Evoke]

Studies show its because of vivid screen colors. Try and make it in Grey scale and see If it make any difference.

[Michal__]

Being very mindful is painful to the ego.

It's easy to lose yourself (lose mindfulness) in your phone. That's why monks avoid material pleasure - you can get some awakenings just by stopping trying to lose yourself.

[Anahata]

Just now, Michal__ said:

Being very mindful is painful to the ego.

It's easy to lose yourself (lose mindfulness) in your phone. That's why monks avoid material pleasure - you can get some awakenings just by stopping trying to lose yourself.

"Life is a balancing act"

[Anahata]

God is dreaming up all these tools and gateways to access more and more of itself Infinity/Akasha : Books, psychedelics, technology, teachings, visual art, music  etc

It's truly beautiful and ingenious, of course ❤

You as God have so much time on your hands 

Eternity more precisely 

Sweet lucid waking dreams, ??✌

Enjoy the wonderland, it's full of diversity. Absolutely Infinite ❤

 

Namaste  

   

Edited March 16, 2022 by Anahata

[Tim R]

2 minutes ago, Anahata said:

God is dreaming up all these tools and gateways to access more and more of itself Infinity/Akasha : Books, psychedelics, technology, teachings, visual art, music  etc

Why does the answer have to involve God and imagination? 

Why would saying "because it gives you a dopamine hit" not be sufficient? 

[Anahata]

Just now, Tim R said:

Why does the answer have to involve God and imagination? 

Why would saying "because it gives you a dopamine hit" not be sufficient? 

Well, that dopamine hit is made of the same stuff everything else is made of. Consciousness

 

[Anahata]

@Tim R

It's all about balance and mindfulness

[Tim R]

6 minutes ago, Anahata said:

Well, that dopamine hit is made of the same stuff everything else is made of. Consciousness

Yeah, the question is therfore: so what?

Because one can't say anything about everything.

Only because everything is consicousness / god, that doesn't mean that the answer to ordinary questions like "why are phones addictive" has to involve consicousness or god.

In fact, it's rather counterproductive, because such an answer just isn't helpful, you know?

It doesn't add anything valuable (I'm not shitting on you or your post in particular, this is a pattern I've genereally observed on the forum) to the discussion. 

[Anahata]

I love you

[Jai]

For the last week plus I've had my phone off virtually all day. I turn it on if I need to make a call and then turn it off after. I don't need instant notifications I'll handle it when I turn it on. This is really the best way for me to manage my phone use. I've done good in the past but I always go back to checking it. Just having it off is what works best for me. I hope I can stick with it.

[Value]

I can relate, my number 1 distraction in life. 
I made a point system for myself - I give myself a point every time I skip internet during the day.

[ZenSwift]

It's a cookie that's always in your pocket.

 

Literally you'd be less addicted if you just screwed it into the wall.