Why our screens make us less happy | Adam Alter

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of 'dogfooding' in business, where leaders use their own products to show confidence. However, he highlights a paradox in the tech industry, where even tech giants like Steve Jobs limited their children's screen time. Drawing from his research as a professor, he reveals the increasing encroachment of screens on our personal time and suggests strategies to reclaim it. The talk emphasizes the importance of balancing screen use with real-life experiences to enrich our lives.

Takeaways

• 🐶 'Dogfooding' is a business strategy where company leaders use their own products to demonstrate confidence in them.
• 📱 In the tech industry, it's common for people to not use the products they create, as seen with Steve Jobs limiting his children's use of technology.
• 🏫 The Waldorf School of the Peninsula, near Silicon Valley, delays screen introduction until 8th grade and has many tech executive parents, indicating a concern about early screen exposure.
• ⏱ The amount of personal time taken up by screens has significantly increased over the years, impacting our personal and creative lives.
• 🌞 Personal time is crucial for individuality, hobbies, relationships, creativity, and reflection on life's meaning.
• 📊 The script presents a visual comparison of screen time across different years, showing a substantial increase in recent times.
• 📱 Screens have benefits, such as enabling long-distance connections, but they also encroach on our personal time.
• 🛑 The lack of 'stopping cues' in digital media consumption leads to longer, uninterrupted usage, which can be detrimental.
• 🌍 Strategies from Western Europe, like automatic desk raising and email deletion during vacation, provide examples of effective stopping cues in the workplace.
• 🍽 The speaker suggests personal strategies, like no phone use at the dinner table, as a way to create stopping cues and improve life quality.
• 🚶‍♂️ The script concludes with a metaphor about choosing to deeply experience life or passively observe it through screens, advocating for a mindful approach to technology use.

Q & A

What is the term 'dogfooding' and how is it used in the business world?

The term 'dogfooding' originated from a rumor about a pet food company executive who would eat a can of dog food at shareholder meetings to demonstrate the product's quality. In the business world, 'dogfooding' refers to the practice of businesspeople using their own products to show confidence in them, although it doesn't literally involve eating dog food.

Why is it surprising that Steve Jobs limited his children's use of technology?

It is surprising because Steve Jobs, as the CEO of Apple, was a prominent figure in the tech industry and was known for his enthusiasm about technology. His statement to a journalist that his children did not use the iPad and that he limited their technology use at home contradicts the image of a tech executive who would be expected to fully embrace and promote the use of such devices.

What is the Waldorf School of the Peninsula and why is it notable in the context of the tech industry?

The Waldorf School of the Peninsula is a school near Silicon Valley that does not introduce screens to its students until the eighth grade. It is notable because 75 percent of the students there have parents who are high-level Silicon Valley tech executives, indicating a trend among tech insiders to limit their children's exposure to screens.

What is the significance of the 'white space' in the context of the script?

The 'white space' in the script refers to personal time outside of work and survival activities. It is significant because it represents the time where individuals engage in activities that define their individuality, such as hobbies, relationships, creativity, and reflection on life's meaning.

How has the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 impacted the amount of personal time spent on screens?

The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 marked a significant increase in the amount of personal time spent on screens. The script illustrates this with a visual comparison showing an increase in screen time from 2007 to 2015 and even more so in the present day.

What are 'stopping cues' and why have they become less prevalent with modern technology?

Stopping cues are signals that indicate it's time to move on or do something different. They were common in the 20th century with media like newspapers, magazines, and TV shows that had clear endings. However, modern technology, particularly social media and news feeds, lacks these cues, leading to endless scrolling and consumption without breaks.

What strategies are mentioned in the script to create stopping cues and manage screen time?

The script mentions several strategies: a Dutch design firm that raises desks to the ceiling at 6pm, Daimler's approach of deleting emails sent during an employee's vacation, and the speaker's personal rule of not using his phone at the dinner table.

How does the speaker suggest we can make our lives richer and more meaningful?

The speaker suggests that by setting boundaries with screens, such as not using phones at the dinner table or putting them on airplane mode during certain times, we can create more meaningful experiences and conversations, leading to a richer and more fulfilling life.

What is the main message of the speaker regarding our relationship with screens?

The main message is that while screens and technology are miraculous and have their benefits, the way we use them can be detrimental to our personal lives. It's important to be mindful of screen time and to intentionally create boundaries to ensure a balanced and meaningful life.

What is the impact of using enriching apps versus apps that don't make us happy, according to the script?

The script indicates that enriching apps, such as those focused on relaxation, exercise, weather, reading, education, and health, make people feel good and are used for an average of nine minutes a day. In contrast, apps that don't make us happy, like dating, social networking, gaming, entertainment, news, and web browsing, are used for three times longer but make us feel less happy.

How does the speaker describe the experience of overcoming the urge to use a phone during dinner?

The speaker describes the initial experience as challenging, with a strong sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). However, over time, one gets used to it, overcomes the withdrawal similar to overcoming addiction, and life becomes more colorful, richer, and more interesting.