Screens have fucked me up

[BojackHorseman]

It took me 40 years to realize how much time I spend on screens. I mean, obviously I knew. But I realized, looking from afar, how much of a zombie I look like.

Clearly I'm doing things on those screens. Learning, communicating, playing, watching, etc.

But I feel like maybe...maybe they might be part of my depression?

What do you think about how we use screens?

The easy way would be "uuur screens bad nature good", but I think it would be missing the point. Screens and what goes through them are part of life and society. I'm not saying we need them, clearly, you could be an hermit and survive and be happy.

But...I don't know, I can't find the right balance for me. I'm just too hooked up on screens. I used to love reading so much....and I still do! Everytime I start I do. But it's so HARD to start.

Sorry, not even sure what I'm trying to convey exactly here. Not sure if it's a cry for help (and the only practical answer would probably be "just get disciplined and spend less time on screens, or at least do it to accomplish things"), or an actual debate on how healthy it is to live the way we do with screens.

 

 

 

[Yimpa]

Just now, BojackHorseman said:

It took me 40 years to realize how much time I spend on screens.

I’m assuming you mean besides internet, like TV. Were you into Atari or TV shows?

I’m only 27 so I have very little idea of what life was like before the internet.

[BojackHorseman]

Well nowadays it's obviously browsing Internet, watching videos, playing games...

 

Before the Internet it was watching movies, cartoons, TV shows, playing video games on older consoles. (and playing outside more, but obviously I was a kid so that's something to be taken into account)

Edited July 20, 2023 by BojackHorseman

[BojackHorseman]

To add to the original post : sometimes I feel like getting a dumbphone. But at the same time a smartphone offers very useful things.

Actually the answer is certainly boringly conventional : as for everything, use in moderation.

The problem being, the brain that doesn't want to, and addiction.

[Yimpa]

24 minutes ago, BojackHorseman said:

To add to the original post : sometimes I feel like getting a dumbphone.

Have you heard of this phone?

https://www.thelightphone.com/

[BojackHorseman]

1 minute ago, Yimpa said:

Have you heard of this phone?

https://www.thelightphone.com/

Yeah I know about most dumphones, I've studied the subject a bit.

I was so close to buy one, even an odler looking time with a small sreen and very basic internet and apps you know?

But then I wondered...wait, can't you just keep you more convenient phone where tasks are faster, and learn not to be so much on it? (even tho, to be fair, I'm waaay more on PC screens than phones)

[universe]

Take responsibility for your own mental health.

If you feel like screen time is bad for you then do something else and see how it feels for you.

Two big things that don't involve screens are sport and spending time with other people and talking with them.

Also look into meditation and spending time in nature.

[hyruga]

40 years?

First 10 years must have been Tv screens since internet only becomes mainstreamed in around 1990s.