Feelability: How We Lost Touch with Life • Imran Rashid & Fabio Pereira
Nov 24, 2023
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Imran Rashid and Fabio Pereira discuss the impact of technology on human connection, the dangers of addictive apps, the challenges of describing emotions, the need for structural and cultural changes, the concept of infobesity, and the importance of self-care and meaningful relationships.
Technology can be designed to be addictive, undermining free will and requiring regulation and conscious use.
Developing emotional awareness and prioritizing real-life social interactions are crucial for navigating the impact of technology on our lives.
Deep dives
The Impact of Technology on Society and Mental Health
Dr. Imran Rashid, a doctor and digital health specialist, discusses the negative effects of technology on society and mental health. He highlights how technology can be designed to change behavior and become addictive, undermining free will. Dr. Rashid emphasizes the control that tech companies have over people's behavior, particularly children's, and the need for regulation and conscious use of technology. He introduces the concept of 'feelability' and the importance of developing an ability to feel better and understanding emotional impacts. Dr. Rashid also highlights the value of forgetting ourselves and the connections between emotional behavior, mindfulness, and spirituality.
The Need for Structural and Cultural Changes
Dr. Rashid recommends structural and cultural changes to address the negative impacts of technology. He emphasizes the need for conscious control over emotions and connections, rather than relying on addictive apps. Dr. Rashid explains the importance of sense of belonging, human connections, and immersive experiences that help individuals forget themselves. He mentions the need to create an environment where people can change their behavior and understand the impact of technology on their lives. He also highlights the connection between the need for other people and the negative social experiences facilitated by technology.
Understanding and Addressing Digital Habits
Dr. Rashid shares insights from his research on digital habits, highlighting the lack of control individuals have over their smartphone usage. He raises concerns about the impact of emotionally driven behavior facilitated by apps and personalized digital content. Dr. Rashid discusses the connection between excessive screen time and feelings of stress, lack of concentration, and emotional rollercoasters. He emphasizes the need for behavioral changes and recommends strategies like creating a benefits and drawbacks table to create awareness and consciously control smartphone usage.
The Importance of Conscious Technology Use
Dr. Imran Rashid encourages individuals to be conscious of their technology use and its impact on emotions. He advises following a 'golden rule' of spending a maximum of one hour per day on social media and carefully curating the people and platforms one engages with. Dr. Rashid stresses the need to prioritize quality connections and to consider who is feeding our emotions. He emphasizes the importance of developing consciousness around emotions, focusing on real-life social interactions, and aligning technology use with what truly matters in our lives.
DESCRIPTION Amid the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has laid bare an exceedingly digitized way of life and a marked reduction in interpersonal interactions, a key question has emerged: How can software developers aspire to foster in this evolving landscape? Is it one that remains subject to external forces and unending technological advancement where metrics such as speed, consumption and financial prosperity dominate? Alternatively, should the pursuit revolve around the re-establishment of an authentic connection with life, thereby enabling a deeper sense of purpose, immersion, and human connectivity, especially in software development?
In "Feelability," the sequel to the acclaimed bestseller "Offline," readers are invited into a thought-provoking discussion between the author, Dr. Imran Rashid, a specialist doctor, and Fabio Pereira, as they explore the profound consequences of our digitized and rapidly accelerating society on individuals. Learn about some practical tools to navigate the challenges posed by technology's impact and confront smartphone addiction. Whether you seek to reclaim a more meaningful and connected existence or are intrigued by the stories behind this insightful work, "Feelability" offers an enlightening journey toward a more fulfilled life in our digitized age.