I was reading new Agonist Sounds #1 zine and Analfabetism was talking about his fairly prolific output in recent years, explaining that he doesn't own TV, nor smartphone, lives in countryside without much happening but bunch of cats in the house. There wasn't massive manifests about how much of it is intentional, somehow conscious decision and how much it is just not being interested in what things like constant presence of social media etc can cause.
Already more than decade ago I did conscious decision that I don't want to live with big screen TV taking attention in the living room. I do have TV, but there is designated space, to watch it. Meaning basically only movies. You go to small TV room, with nothing else there, and TV is for those moments only. Other times, there is no reason to be in the room and there is never moments of "hmmm.. what's on the telly right now". Haven't done that since... 90's probably.
I know a lot of guys who make conscious decision to leave specific social media platforms, just because they know addictive nature of reels and picture feeds and know they'll "accidentally" spend even hours, just browsing without even intent to find anything. I know only couple who do not want smart phone, just because they keep it to level that distractions are minimal. People can reach them, but that's enough.
I mentioned in the "quitting noise" topic, that it seems clear that the environment and conditions one creates, effect how you live. If one has tapes and records boxed away, somewhere is basement, and stereo system reserved into corner of sad mancave, then the so called "normal life" may indeed be dominated by what is the actual living space like. So arrangement where things one wants to do is prioritized, instead of what is sort of automatic expectation of society right now, seems not only obvious, but simple way to do it.
Of course, there are so many other things to do in life that its not all about listening noise records, or making of noise, but I am curious if people have been making these conscious adjustments and what are the effects of it? Like guys who removed themselves from IG or something, when nonstop stream of semi-naked ladies stopped, are you doing something creative or more rewarding? Reading, listening albums, making something etc?
I did conscious choice of even limiting use of computer only to "working hours" so to say. I don't need computer open all day every day, so replying emails may have been slower for decade or so, but they'll get done. Just on designated time and place, not in form of distraction where I need to quit what I'm doing any time I hear email arrival sound, in pavlovian response style, hah..
Do I get more things done? Who knows. It is perhaps just more quality of being somewhat more immersed into particular thing, when there is focus on that.
