PUNKT MP02
Dear reader,
I’m half way through a 6 month experiment where I've replaced my smart phone with something a little less sophisticated: the PUNKT MP02. A candy bar style featureless “dumb phone” that can only call and text. That’s T9 and predictive text for those who remember the days of yore.
So if I’m not at home, this means:
No social media
No news
No email
No link sharing
No camera
No Uber/Lyft
No Seamless
No Venmo
No group texts
No maps
No podcasts
No music
Why am I doing this? Because I’m addicted to my phone, and my early attempts to moderate this behavior failed. I tried good old-fashioned willpower, deleting apps, tracking screen time, and outlawing phone use after 9pm. But after a few days, it was business as usual. Anytime I felt bored, lonely, or uncomfortable, my phone was an arms length away. That’s when I realized, it’s not a phone, it’s a pacifier.
I started reading studies on smart phone usage and its unintended consequences. A short list includes anxiety, fatigue, procrastination, stress, loneliness, and other black holes of depression. One study even highlights navigation based apps as a concern for early onset Alzheimers disease. I wouldn’t call it conclusive, and there’s always an alternative view, but it’s hardly far-fetched. And all things considered, does anyone still doubt the addictive nature of our mobile devices? After all, there are only two industries who call their customers “users”: Illegal drugs, and software.
But Matt! We go through this every generation. People are always fearful and skeptical of new technology. Even the radio produced radiophobia. Many thought we'd stop reading or engaging in deep conversations. And critics of the television thought it would result in a "further vulgarization of American culture.” So relax. This happens every time. Stop being such a baby.
It’s a good point, and I hope you’re right. But this isn't a PSA or an official study, it's just an experiment to do with my own wellbeing. Not unlike a new diet. I’m only sharing it because I think there’s a growing number of people who feel disillusioned by this breed of software that meddles in our life in the name of convenience. So if you don’t have any personal concerns about what tech is doing your relationships, creativity, focus, critical thinking, and mental health in general, then I’m happy for you. But you should also remember that in the 1950’s we were told “more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette”. So I ask you, is it at least possible that those who are making a fortune off our addiction are more concerned about their bottom line than our mental health?
Rather than wait for the Surgeon General to slap a WARNING label on the startup screen, I’m conducting my own experiment to find out what’s best for me by answering the following questions:
Without a smart phone, does my life change in any measurable way? If so, for better or for worse?
If it changes for the better, will the trade-off be worth the inconvenience?
Of course I’ll need to ride this out for the full 6 months before deciding to ditch my smart phone completely. But if I end up just 10% happier, that seems like worthy trade off.
So far, I’m happy to report positive results. I started calling friends and family more often because texting sucks. This means I maintain fewer relationships, but if a relationship is only held together by a text or a comment thread, is it really worth maintaining? Life in general seems a lot less noisy, too. And being alone with my thoughts has helped me work through them. Going for a walk is like “inbox-zero” for my psyche. Finally, Instead of paying $80 a month to salivate like Pavlov's dog, I pay $15 for peace and tranquility.
This may turn out to be more hipster, fear based, luddite bullshit. But at least it follows a worthy principle:
“If you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”
If you’re interested in trying this for yourself, but feel like you can’t commit to 6 months. Maybe buy a cheap burner phone off of eBay, and try it out on the weekends. I think you’ll find the exercise of unplugging is more beneficial than you think.
I'll try to post an update after 6 months. But by then, I might be in a cabin off the grid somewhere near Walden pond.
All good thoughts,
Matt Cooper
