We justify many of the technologies that tyrannize our time and attention with some tangential connection to something we care about.

PRACTICE: DUMB DOWN YOUR SMARTPHONE

“other people, yourself, or both.” The default network, in other words, seems to be connected to social cognition.

“I see young men, my townsmen, whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, house, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acquired than got rid of.”

you must also spend this period trying to rediscover what’s important to you and what you enjoy outside the world of the always-on, shiny digital. Figuring this out before you begin reintroducing technology at the end of this declutter process is crucial.

During this monthlong process, you must aggressively explore higher-quality activities

When it comes to new technologies, less almost certainly is more. Hopefully the preceding pages made it clear why this is true.

engaging with arguments provides a deep source of satisfaction independent of the actual content of the debate.

And everyone secretly fears being bored.