Develop a strong ‘rest ethic’

Use fewer tools, turn off notifications.

This week, I learned that Jack Dorsey operated Twitter and Square via the notes app on his phone.

No desktop.

No laptop.

No tablet.

Just an iPhone, the Notes app, with his notifications turned off.

Let’s not mince words: this isn’t a productivity hack, it’s a wake-up call.

The teams who make social media apps get the rest of us hooked and quietly avoid using their own products (…except Elon, and plenty wish that he would.)

If you’ve seen ‘The Social Dilemma’, you might not need convincing.

Jonathan Haidt’s recent book ‘The Anxious Generation’ came under fire for suggesting that the rise of smartphones and social media is directly to blame for the an attendant rise in mental illness, many people blaming a lack ‘adequate research’ to point conclusively at the central claim.

But as he points out, it’s the largest uncontrolled experiment humanity has ever performed, and we’re performing it on ourselves, as well as generations of young people.

I think it’s probably worth being skeptical until it’s proven otherwise.

Share something that’s not yet expressed

Here I am, quoting myself.

See how important my thoughts appear, framed in this nice little box:

🎥 ‘Politics and the English Language’ by George Orwell [ESSAY]
This essay is still fantastic, and a must-read for anyone who writes anything. Strong words, but I mean it.

👀 ‘Exhalation’ by Ted Chiang [SHORT STORY]
The eponymous title story from Chiang’s fantastic collection. It left me in tears.

🎨 Agnes Varda and Pasolini in 1960's NY [VIDEO]
Lovely time capsule piece. I love what Pasolini says about actors and performances- it's always reality.

They can sign up for the next one right here:

Get in touch.

Comments? Suggestions? ...vague threats?​
Hit reply below, and I'll do my best to get back to you. 😎