Deleting my phone felt like cutting off a limb. After watching Snowden at my friend Frank’s—a vegetarian German teacher who hosts these legendary Saturday dinner parties—something clicked. Frank’s house feels like a mini United Nations, with teachers from France, the U.K., Egypt, Yemen, Italy, and the Philippines all crowded around the table, devouring his homemade pizzas, pastries, and pies. It’s a mix of languages and cultures, debates on everything from history to world politics, and of course, discussions about tech and privacy. That night, I slapped a sliding camera blocker on my iPhone’s front camera and tried scrubbing out keystroke loggers. But the bigger issue was my doomscrolling.
Social media, news feeds, endless email chains—it was like drowning in digital noise. Mainstream media sugarcoats real suffering while my social feeds amplify it. So, I’d share it all, like a one-man crusade to remind everyone that the world’s on fire and they’re not doing enough to extinguish it. It was exhausting, and let’s be honest, I wasn’t exactly a ray of sunshine online. I guess live-tweeting a g3n0c1d3 does that to you.
After countless failed attempts to moderate my screen time, I finally broke. One evening, after way too much mindless swiping, I snapped. I deleted everything—the apps, notifications, distractions—poof. Gone. I clean-booted my phone and reinstalled only the essentials: family photos, books, a Chinese super app that is my keys, contacts and wallet, and the few tools I need for work. Back to basics (as basic as living in a cyberpunk supercity can let me be).
The first few days felt like withdrawal. I’d instinctively reach for my phone, only to remember it was basically a fancy paperweight now. So, I started carrying around a paperback again, just like when I was a kid. It felt good. Slowly, I filled my time with things that actually made me happy: reading, playing guitar, editing The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu, and most importantly, hanging out with my granddaughter Naomi. The phone was just a tool again.
And honestly? I needed the break. I was excited to dive into Ta-Nehisi Coates’ The Message, but even he seems amazed by the backlash he’s getting—for simply stating that all people deserve to be treated equally. It’s shocking how much society clings to the stories that perpetuate oppression. After years of battling the online hatesphere, I was just tired. I needed to step back, reclaim my time, and stop feeding the algorithm.
Now, when I come across news or something “worth sharing,” I jot it down and let it simmer. By the end of the day, I usually realize it’s not worth it. If it is, I’ll post from my desktop, on my terms. It’s been freeing.
Sure, my laptop might be the next battle—but for now, I’ve taken back control. I’m excited about the future, spending time on what really matters: family, books, music, and maybe a little peace of mind.
Wishing you all well—from a distance.
