I turned 30 half a year ago. I was a gamer all my life (got my first console with 5 that forced me to learn how to read). We got our first internet connection in 2003 or 2004, where I spent hours on blogs and such. I got addicted to Minecraft from 2012-2013 and to YouTube from around 2013 until 2015, but it was long term content back then, like 30-60 minute videos of full concentration, multiple videos on the same topic. I got fit and a gym rat from 2017-2019 (switched to iPhone), then I got the Samsung Fold and the android ecosystem made me game more again (emulators, docked on tv, mostly rom hacks). Then I got back to iPhone and with the loss of gaming I got social media addicted. First Reddit, which wasn’t that bad, but after the API-changes I ditched it and short form video content filled my free time. I got into meditation, more specific the focus on my own body, and somehow didn’t feel the need for those videos anymore. But when I failed a test at work, it broke me and since then I can’t get into meditation anymore. Heck, I‘m spending about 3-4 hours a day on short form video content…
Edit: my SIL is 20 years old and experienced fhat right after school. Gotta need to ask my cousin, she‘ll be 13 this summer
the addiction thing is crazy to me now, because i grew up with substances that were addictive. substances don’t really change that much. but the idea of trying to defend against addictions to tech that’s literally evolving to keep you addicted. i can’t imagine what would happen to my alcohol recovery if they ever issued an “update” that de-buffs hangovers.
young people are being given a really bad deal right now. they’re being intentionally uneducated, overstimulated, and constantly provoked for “engagement”. it’s horrifying to me when i try to put myself in their shoes.
I turned 30 half a year ago. I was a gamer all my life (got my first console with 5 that forced me to learn how to read). We got our first internet connection in 2003 or 2004, where I spent hours on blogs and such. I got addicted to Minecraft from 2012-2013 and to YouTube from around 2013 until 2015, but it was long term content back then, like 30-60 minute videos of full concentration, multiple videos on the same topic. I got fit and a gym rat from 2017-2019 (switched to iPhone), then I got the Samsung Fold and the android ecosystem made me game more again (emulators, docked on tv, mostly rom hacks). Then I got back to iPhone and with the loss of gaming I got social media addicted. First Reddit, which wasn’t that bad, but after the API-changes I ditched it and short form video content filled my free time. I got into meditation, more specific the focus on my own body, and somehow didn’t feel the need for those videos anymore. But when I failed a test at work, it broke me and since then I can’t get into meditation anymore. Heck, I‘m spending about 3-4 hours a day on short form video content…
Edit: my SIL is 20 years old and experienced fhat right after school. Gotta need to ask my cousin, she‘ll be 13 this summer
the addiction thing is crazy to me now, because i grew up with substances that were addictive. substances don’t really change that much. but the idea of trying to defend against addictions to tech that’s literally evolving to keep you addicted. i can’t imagine what would happen to my alcohol recovery if they ever issued an “update” that de-buffs hangovers.
young people are being given a really bad deal right now. they’re being intentionally uneducated, overstimulated, and constantly provoked for “engagement”. it’s horrifying to me when i try to put myself in their shoes.