the three principles of digital discipline
“Digital minimalists see new technologies as tools to be used to support things they deeply value—not as sources of value themselves. They don’t accept the idea that offering some small benefit is justification for allowing an attention-gobbling service into their lives, and are instead interested in applying new technology in highly selective and intentional ways that yield big wins. Just as important: they’re comfortable missing out on everything else.”
― Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism
Our digital life is causing us a plethora of distressing concerns ― addiction, decrease in overall happiness, limited restricted autonomy, enhancement of hollow desires and pleasures that exploit our human instincts and drives, and distraction from high-value activities.
That’s why we need a philosophy deeply rooted in our values as we use our current technologies that helps us ascertain what tools should we use and the best way to use them, and most importantly empowers us to confidently let go of everything else. We need to take the path of digital minimalism and only focus our technological time on a handful of curated and optimized activities that strongly align with our core values and our goals.
As we embark on this journey, here are three principles of digital discipline we can all embrace and practice in our daily lives:
- Clutter is costly.
- Optimization is important.
- Intentionality is satisfying.
PS: If you enjoyed this passage, I’d encourage you to read my book Daily Minimalism (The Daily Learner, Book 4). The condensed timeless knowledge in the daily meditations will help you navigate through the complexities that come with modern living and guide you in your quest to living a happy and meaningful life.
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