Shutting Off Opportunities & Interests

Hey Reader,

Should we fight social media? How do rules limit knowledge discovery? Let's dive right in.

One Personal Story

For years I was afraid of social media addiction. I raised barriers for accessing those networks: no apps on my phone, logging in and out every time, time-restricted access, or even complete abstinence.

It's understandable. I grew up in an environment where a social media moral panic was pervasive. This phenomenon is common with the introduction of new media, such as the radio in the 1930s.

However, why did I keep on returning to social media? No, it wasn't the evil companies hacking my brain. It was my interests.

Social media makes a broad range of interests easily accessible—which are difficult to satisfy otherwise. By reacting to my fear, I stifled my interests.

Sure, social media can be used to cover up one's underlying problems. But isn't that possible with any thing?

I internalized shame and let that guide me. With unrestricted access now, I leave my phone next to my bed when I sleep. I don't use it after my desired bed time because I understand that it conflicts with my priority of sleep.

Priorities and preferences change. Hence, I will most likely encounter conflicts around social media and other preferences in the future. But I will trust myself enough to maintain a healthy relationship through unmediated access.

One Overlooked Idea

Rules prescribe specific directives from authorities, but they limit freedom and knowledge discovery. They fail to account for the complexity and nuances of human life situations.

When an authority figure imposes a rule onto us, then we are deprived of the opportunity to understand why we should act that way. If we are permitted to eat what they regard as healthy only, then we lack the understanding of why we should eat that way. Knowledge cannot be forced. It needs to be acquired.

Let's imagine we are convinced the authority is right. If we were to self-impose a rule, then we would shut ourselves off from adjusting to nuanced life circumstances. Maybe we get invited to try a traditional meal in a foreign country. According to our rule that meal isn't healthy. Yet, according to the locals it is indeed.

When such opportunities arise, rules don't offer the flexibility to rearrange priorities and preferences. They restrain freedom, and hence knowledge discovery. It could well be that we prevent ourselves from learning about healthy eating through our rule.

We don't have to choose black or white. Principles offer guidance while allowing the flexibility and freedom to adjust as we go.

Two Thoughtful Intentions

Reflecting on the Intention from the Previous Week

Last week I set out to prioritize and finish a website design project. I did prioritize it and created a complete redesign which accomplishes the key targets much better. I feel more confident in my design choices after learning timeless design principles from the interface design course, Shift Nudge. It isn't finished yet, but I intend to go live at the beginning of next week!

Setting an Intention for the Upcoming Week

I have a tendency to make detailed plans. While this allows me to accomplish what I set out to do, it also limits serendipitous opportunities. For my trip two day trip to Berlin next week, I will leave some unscheduled time and see what happens.

Thanks for reading and until next week,

Jesse