“Addiction is a condition in which a person engages in the use of a substance or in a behaviour for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly pursue the behaviour despite detrimental consequences.” page 15
Cal Newport starts his book off by explaining what an addiction is, and how we are probably addicted to the digital things in our lives (Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, computer, cell phone, etc.) Newport defines digital minimalism as “a philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else” page 28.
Newport proposes the reader try a digital declutter. Which is a 30 day period where you take a break from optional technology, explore/rediscover activities that you find meaningful and satisfying. In the end, you reintroduce optional technology back, determine the technologies value and how to maximize said value. I have just summed up the book in a nutshell, but he does more than propose a declutter. He discusses solitude through the lens of Raymond Kethledge and Michael Erwin’s book Lead yourself first. Solitude or spending time alone with one’s self is not a bad thing, it does not mean isolation, instead, it allows for self-reflection and emotional balance. Newport is sure to note others who have spoken on solitudes benefits (Virginia Woolf, Blaise Pascal). We live in a world where you can have a literal soundtrack to your life with headphones, where it is possible to limit solitude in our lives. This leads to “Solitude deprivation- a state in which you spend close to zero time alone with your own thoughts and free from input from other minds” page 103.
Newport offers practices to combat this such as taking long walks (preferably without your phone) or journaling. We should reclaim conversation with people even have “conversation office hours” where people can call and talk to you at X o’clock. This would take away the potential fear of calling someone, as you know they are expecting a call. Another practice is supercharged sociality, which is spending time with people doing an activity, in the real world (sorry World of Warcraft). For example, Crossfit, cultural events, or going to tabletop cafes. Throughout the book Newport offers different things for the reader to try, but without demanding they do it. He is not insisting everyone should try Crossfit, or get rid of social media, rather it’s all about you and what you find meaningful.
The chapters were a bit too long. One chapter was 40 pages long, although there were subheadings in each chapter. The textbook definitions and bolding of important words can make this appear like a dry book. However, this makes it easy to go back and find definitions that are continually referenced. I found the real-life examples of Amish farmers and programmers give the book authenticity, it’s showing a theory through real-life examples and I appreciate that.
In conclusion, parts of this book are “no duh” parts. I think we all know we might be addicted to technology and this just blatantly points it out. However; it is not a book about being “anti-technology”, rather how do we figure out our day to day interactions with technology. I have actually read all of his books now, and this is by far the best. The pacing and word choice make it a perfect read, at points its closer to a conversation instead of a book. I finished reading it in two days and it does invoke thought, are the apps on my phone doing anything for me other than being low-quality leisure?
