The Distraction Economy

The development of technology has, over centuries, freed up more and more of our time making possible non-survival-related pursuits like art and science. Now it's gotten to a point where there is so much 'free time' that demand for distraction supports 24 hour news sites and YouTube channels. I'm proposing that following our impulses into constant distraction may not be the best way to spend our time. It may prey on weak points of our psychology that evolved hundreds of thousands of years ago and it may make us think less effectively. Now consider I'm making this argument in a YouTube video you may be using to waste your time. I know, how meta.

[ZweiZombies]

I think you are right. I just watched a video about the correct technique while thrusting with a sword. I DO NOT EVEN HAVE A SWORD.

[tthecooljose]

My professor says, Your circle of concern should not be very much bigger than your circle of influence.

[DanHauer]

Thanks for making this video, Derek. I used to pride myself on how little I allowed myself to get distracted by meaningless nonsense online, but for about the past year I've really been letting myself go. You've reminded me of some of my own values.

[Dunam]

If I went on a low information diet, I would have never found this.

[sxsxpl]

The best balance - create more than you consume.
And when you consume, be picky, unsubscribe from low value streams of information.

[dtebel]

My wife suggested we start "Slow Sundays" and use that day to unplug from the net. No phones, not lappies, no internet, cats, listicles, etc. So far so good!

[panadudeTV]

Glad the title wasn't "Is The Media Distracting You From The Truth?"

[GagandeepSingh-nisx]

Its been six months since I'm on low information diet and people started calling me "anti-social".But I believe It really helped me.

[antonio]

I love how these vids are full of honesty.

[rocketskids]

“Most neuroses and some psychoses can be traced to the unnecessary and unhealthy habit of daily wallowing in the troubles and sins of five billion strangers.”


― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

[SickPrid]

"...the solution hit me, just kind of bubbled up from somewhere..." not the best choice of words describing bathroom moment ;D

[dannysulyma]

But you are part of my information diet !

[MrVolodus]

We liked to go to bathroom too, to find new ideas during exams. And we found them ... but usually because we had books there to help us :D

[brodersami]

I think it's about the quality of the information you consume that's important. Cutting out all the unnecessary noise seems like a good idea, but I think it's still good to keep yourself updated about the state of the world. Just look through a newspaper every day or two and you're good.
I'm a strong proponent on giving the brain some down-time though, and I definitely think that just sitting around and thinking is become less and less common and desirable in a world where constant stimulus is the norm. Handling boredom without resorting to mindless media is an important skill to learn.

[MrUncleTings]

i had to pause the video because i thought i had another oneof your videos playing in the background. lel love this video though

[FubukiShiromiya]

I spend this kind of time listening to Youtube videos, particularly educational ones to try to gain a better understanding of the world around me. I've benefited from channels like SciShow, Veritasium, MinutePhysics, Kurzgesagt and PBS Space Time in ways that I can't even quantify.

In a way this is quite the opposite of what is being suggested in this video. We only have so much time available to us, I would like to use as much if it as possible to enrich my existence in some way. That is why I try to learn new subjects like math and physics rather than checking the news and Facebook.

[UnknownXV]

I don't view either "diet" to be good or bad. What we do with our time, whatever motivates us and makes us feel happy; that is time well-spent. It is too subjective to state outright for anyone else. What do you want from your time? Productivity is not inherently superior to distraction or entertainment. If it was, then everyone should be productive at all times. But then, what would we be productive for exactly?

[vladdi]

I think you're right that we should prioritize a reduction of information intake and have more times when you let your brain wonder but we shouldn't let ourselves fall into an extreme either. BALANCE is the most important thing

[jan]

I think the reason why so many people search for that distraction all the time is just to avoid being confronted with the fact that they could be more productive. Totally opening yourself to all the things you need to do, end all the responsibilities you have can often be just too overwhelming.

[JordanBoyer]

This is a HIGHLY respectable outlook, and I want to thank you very much.
You're legitimately arguing a point that could potentially have a negative impact on you, but obviously you hold the value of helping others above your own gain.
We need people like you to help this crazy world.