The online space really is the world on steroids: every temptation louder, every distraction sharper.
That’s why we can’t just drift in without discipline. The monks knew that if you exposed yourself to the world without rules, you’d dissolve into chaos. So they wrote rules of life: when to eat, when to pray, when to work, when to rest. Not because life was bad, but because its intensity needed a frame. Social media is no different. Without curating, fasting, resting, and re-centering, it devours us.
What you’ve sketched here feels like a kind of digital monastic rule. Practices to keep attention from scattering, and to turn the screen from a pit of thorns into a garden where something meaningful can grow.
Yes to every word of that. Just keep allocating time and attention to what matters and what works and starve everything else of resources. They all want to get paid with attention; pay only what serves you well.
Curating the feed is a constant job! I miss when Substack was only who I followed and no Notes. People say inane and trite things when they have only a few words to do so.
As I was reading, I was planning to comment. But, your numbered advice items are basically what I would have said in comment. 10 minutes ago, I spoke with my voice to 2 in-person humans located 4 feet away. I vented about city hall fraud and reminded them to come to my pre-Halloween party. I was born in 1966 and learned how to live the good life before internet. And no - I do not live in my mom’s basement. I live in her attic- there is a big difference. But, she still makes me take out the garbage even though I am not a kid anymore. Ok- that part was a joke, couldn’t resist.
The online space really is the world on steroids: every temptation louder, every distraction sharper.
That’s why we can’t just drift in without discipline. The monks knew that if you exposed yourself to the world without rules, you’d dissolve into chaos. So they wrote rules of life: when to eat, when to pray, when to work, when to rest. Not because life was bad, but because its intensity needed a frame. Social media is no different. Without curating, fasting, resting, and re-centering, it devours us.
What you’ve sketched here feels like a kind of digital monastic rule. Practices to keep attention from scattering, and to turn the screen from a pit of thorns into a garden where something meaningful can grow.
'The world on steroids'. Great description. And other drugs too lol.
Well how could I disagree with any of this? My mantra for the last 5.5 years has been “Stay Sane.” Thanks for being consistently sane, Zuby!
Sanity is good!
And a sane diet includes healthy natural unprocessed food.
Yes to every word of that. Just keep allocating time and attention to what matters and what works and starve everything else of resources. They all want to get paid with attention; pay only what serves you well.
Wow, I wish you and Charlie Kirk had met and done a podcast together. 💙🤍❤️ 💜
It would have happened, but alas, not now.
Curating the feed is a constant job! I miss when Substack was only who I followed and no Notes. People say inane and trite things when they have only a few words to do so.
As I was reading, I was planning to comment. But, your numbered advice items are basically what I would have said in comment. 10 minutes ago, I spoke with my voice to 2 in-person humans located 4 feet away. I vented about city hall fraud and reminded them to come to my pre-Halloween party. I was born in 1966 and learned how to live the good life before internet. And no - I do not live in my mom’s basement. I live in her attic- there is a big difference. But, she still makes me take out the garbage even though I am not a kid anymore. Ok- that part was a joke, couldn’t resist.
Information diet is just as important as physical diet. Sound in mind, sound in body.
Very well thought out. Thank you for your thoughts. I plan on sharing this with my 12 yo son.
Such wise words. But can I ask what the '1' is at the end? Is it some new internet buzzword?
I read it like “best” but maybe it’s a trend like 6,7.
On point 1, it's why I like the experience on 𝕏. You can stay on the Following feed and not be drawn in by the algorithm.
Technically it’s possible on here too, but it’s not the default. You have to choose it each time.