Slate Daily Feed ICYMI - Is Digital Detoxing Being "Performatively Offline"?
Feb 4, 2026
Alex Kirshner, Slate writer and co-host of Hang Up and Listen, talks about his phone habits and why he tried Brick to limit use. The conversation covers how Brick works, comparisons with dumb and light phones, and whether posting about unplugging is itself performative. They also discuss how these tools change work, leisure, and the irony of advertising offline solutions on social media.
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Physical Gatekeeper Works Better Than Passcodes
- Alex Kirshner bought a Brick device and uses it to physically lock himself out of social apps.
- He keeps the magnet on his fridge so the 14–15 foot walk to tap it adds friction and curbs impulsive checks.
Use Friction To Interrupt Impulses
- Add physical friction between urge and action to reduce impulsive phone use.
- Place blocking devices away from your immediate workspace so reaching them becomes a deliberate act.
Business Model Shapes Effectiveness
- Apps that live on the phone struggle to limit usage because they profit from attention.
- Brick succeeds partly because its business model doesn't require you to stay on the blocked apps.