Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
by Cal Newport
Rating: 4.0 / 5 · Read · Finished 2019-07-19
It’s all stuff you probably already know. But it’s a great source of inspiration to work harder at it.
- One phonecall is worth more than 100 likes. In-person interaction is even more valuable.
- If you have high quality leisure, scrolling through your feed will seem less appealing
- leave your phone behind whenever you can
Second reading: Great to read again every one in a while. Since last time, TikTok has come out. The lopsided arms race continues.
Summary of chapters A Lopsided Arms Race - Companies spend billions of dollars to buy your attention. Treat them adversarially. Digital Minimalism - For a given technology, don’t ask if there is any benefit. Ask if the benefit outweighs the cost. The Digital Declutter - Take a month-long break from apps, etc. Afterword, add things back intentionally. Spend Time Alone - Technology is constant background noise. Be alone with your thoughts regularly. Don’t Click “Like” - Hitting “Like” < commenting < texting < phone call < video call < in person visit Reclaim Leisure - Do high quality leisure activities (physical, creative, social, challenging) Join the Attention Resistance - Treat technology adversarially. Get in, get the value, get out.