The Lila Rose Show E278: How To Be Human Again: 11 Keys to Right Relationship with Technology | Lila Rose Show
Join Lila Rose as she chats with Andrew Laubacher, the Executive Director of Humanality, dedicated to fostering a healthier relationship with technology. Andrew shares his journey of quitting social media in 2018 and the surprising benefits he found, like deeper friendships. He discusses the moral and emotional costs of smartphone omnipresence and the impact on empathy. With 11 practical ways to reclaim our humanity, he advocates for mindful living, moving outside, and nurturing deep connections, all without going full Amish!
02:14:42
Technology Changes Everything
- Technology can both upgrade and downgrade human life; we must weigh trade-offs rather than demonize tools.
- Andrew Laubacher urges intentional use so technology serves human flourishing, not the reverse.
Cold Turkey Break From Social Media
- Andrew deleted all social media in 2018 and switched to a flip phone to escape algorithms and temptation.
- Within a year he got more gigs, traveled widely, and experienced deeper friendships and freedom.
A Generation Will Lose 27 Years To Screens
- Current youth face a lifetime dominated by screens: projected 27 years of screen time.
- That massive displacement erodes time for relationships, creativity, and memory consolidation.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Humanality's Mission and Andrew's Background
01:38 • 3min
Why Andrew Quit Social Media in 2018
04:12 • 2min
Smartphone Omnipresence and Moral Costs
06:09 • 4min
Trade-offs of Technology: Blessings and Burdens
09:49 • 3min
Empathy Decline and Algorithmic Reality
12:51 • 3min
Designing for Attention: Tech Founders' Admissions
15:39 • 4min
Ad break
19:17 • 1min
Skinner, Variable Rewards, and Dopamine
20:39 • 9min
Social Motivation and Dopamine Hijack
29:30 • 6min
Ad break
35:46 • 1min
Pornography, Youth Exposure and Health Risks
37:03 • 5min
Screen Time Statistics and Lifetime Loss
41:57 • 5min
Digital Overload Erodes Creativity and Attention
47:15 • 6min
Good Uses Versus Systemic Harms
53:08 • 8min
Andrew's 2018 Detox and Positive Fruits
01:00:50 • 7min
Why Moderation Often Fails
01:08:14 • 7min
Precautionary Principle and Societal Consent
01:15:10 • 7min
Front-Facing Camera and Performance Culture
01:22:07 • 8min
Algorithms, Founders' Practices, and Moral Responsibility
01:29:42 • 7min
Introducing 11 Ways to Be Human
01:36:36 • 4min
Digital Plan of Life and Device Choices
01:40:33 • 6min
Practical Challenges: Photo Fast and Mindful Meals
01:46:41 • 8min
Be Light and Be Outside: Biology of Sun and Nature
01:54:50 • 6min
Be Moving and Reclaiming Leisure
02:00:44 • 4min
Be Connected: Rebuilding Deep Relationships
02:04:47 • 6min
Be Mindful, Silent, and Give Away Your Time
02:10:59 • 4min
Final Encouragement and How to Start
02:15:10 • 35sec
Outro
02:15:45 • 48sec
#36651
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There's a reason why Big Tech Executives don't give their children the very devices and software that they sell. The negative effects are pervasive, extreme, and self-evident--however, there are ways to take back control and leverage technology as a positive tool.
In today's episode, I sit down with Andrew Laubacher of Humanality, an organization dedicated to recovering right relationship with technology to help us be more human. I think this is an essential conversation for everyone, and Andrew proposes 11 keys for flourishing lives without going full Amish.
Humanality website: https://www.humanality.org/
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