As technology becomes omnipotent in daily life, its role in forming habits is a growing priority. Although tech provides myriad benefits, the drawbacks are now surfacing in scientific studies. At a physical level, exposing the human eye to powerful LED screens, especially late at night, induces lack of sleep, headaches, and anxiety(The Dark Side of Blue Light). Personally, minimizing screen time seems to allow me to fall asleep faster and have more vivid dreams. From a musculoskeletal perspective, prolonged hours working at a computer desk causes tension to build up in the spine and reduces blood flow(Why sitting is bad for you – Murat Dalkilinç).
A sedentary lifestyle is linked to a range of health problems (Do You Have Sitting Disease?. There are ways to mitigate these issues (stretching/yoga, wearing computer glasses, exercising and healthy eating), but what ultimately drives a person’s actions is the power of habit.
The following is an attempt to relate Aristotle’s philosophy of habit and desire to today’s cutting edge research and behavioral studies.
Aristotle’s Moral Exemplar Argument
- Intentional actions will be accompanied by some measure of either pleasure or pain (or some kind of mixture of the two)
- An action is morally excellent if and only if it is done as a moral exemplar (i.e. someone with complete moral excellence) would have done it
- A moral exemplar will feel complete pleasure at all virtuous actions, and avoid all vicious actions (because they would cause her pain)
- Therefore a person who experiences pain when acting virtuously is not morally excellent, even if the actions themselves are done in accordance with virtue.
Let’s apply Aristotle’s logic around seeking moral excellence to seeking professional or personal excellence in today’s society: substitute “technology master” (someone who uses technology optimally) in for moral exemplar, and Aristotle’s logic holds true. A true “technology master” experiences pleasure at beneficial actions and pain from actions that hinder their achievements.
Electronic collaboration is nearly universal in the professional world. If the goal is to leverage technology’s benefits while avoiding the negative side effects, then managing tech use is as important as good nutrition. A person aspiring to be successful should establish the necessary traits; focus, productivity, and hard-work are inherently opposed by distracting technology and the constant buzz of notifications. In order to do so, however, means controlling technology use.
When it comes to using technology, Aristotle would highlight the importance of building habits from a young age. People pleasured by technology are at a disadvantage compared to those who prefer using their smartphones sparingly. Kids become “addicted” to using devices similarly to how a nicotine user gets addicted to smoking, except instead of inhaling carcinogens, the addiction comes through continuous dopamine release.
The most consuming technologies trigger reward systems in the brain: think, Facebook “likes”, Snapchat “streaks”, Twitter “re-tweets,” and the little red bubbles displaying app notifications. Companies are leveraging human psychology and visual cues when designing apps, logos, and websites. Light blues are often relaxed and calming. Bright blues can be energizing and refreshing. Dark blues, like navy, show strength and reliability(Source).
As a consumer, navigating the world of technology is complicated; mobile phones, computers, and other devices, which were originally adopted due to convenience and efficiency, have become culprits in forming consumers’ self-destructive habits.
A few statistics:
- 29% of people start their day looking at their smartphone
- 37% are checking it every 30 minutes or less
- 68% leave it next to their bed at night
- 61% use their phone while watching TV
Relevant link- *Is Watching Too Much TV Making You Depressed? Studies Say It Can
Alice Walton, contributor at Forbes Magazine writes,
The irony of Facebook is by now known to most. The “social” network has been linked to a surprising number of undesirable mental health consequences: Depression, low self-esteem, and bitter jealousy among them.” In the study, people who logged more Facebook time had more depressive symptoms, largely associated with “social comparison.”
Observing peers’ achievements and highlights on a day to day basis erodes self-confidence in some people.
Does this mean everyone should delete their Facebook accounts? Surely, not. But it does mean that addressing mental problems, raising children, and maintaining good health just got a little easier. The solution is to establish habits that make using technology less attractive, less pleasurable, and more “painful” in Aristotle’s terms. Charles Duhigg’s book, the Power of Habit, contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. Duhigg’s arguments make sense: consider the process of forming a new habit. The first few repetitions require significant effort. The second, third, and so on become easier. After a while, something that was once a struggle(like weight-lifting, running, or even writing) can be pleasurable.
I asked Google, “How long does it take to form a habit?” and this is what I got:
Maxwell Maltz was a plastic surgeon in the 1950s when he began noticing a strange pattern among his patients. When Dr. Maltz would perform an operation — like a nose job, for example — he found that it would take the patient about 21 days to get used to seeing their new face. Similarly, when a patient had an arm or a leg amputated, Maltz noticed that the patient would sense a phantom limb for about 21 days before adjusting to the new situation.
Some habits form in as quickly as a few weeks, while others take longer. Positive habits allow for a higher quality of life. Sitting with good posture, using polite manners, and eating a healthy diet are not supposed to be painful! Re-training desires to align with your professional and personal goals will make life a whole lot better. Although it might take some time.
Kyle Huber 