No Escape.
Stolen focus by Joanne Hari, is a very interesting read based on how technology and the fast pace of society contributes to the way our minds are overwhelmed and exhausted.
In addition to being well educated about various topics he discusses in the book, Hari went through what most would call a very challenging experiment where he went to Providence town in Cape Cod for 3 months with no Internet, only a phone that had buttons in case of an emergency.
“There was no escape, because this problem was everywhere. (Hari)”
It all started when Hari kept his promise to his godson, Adam, to take him to “Graceland” after Adam was struggling with school. They made an agreement in order to go on the trip, there was going to be no-screens, but once they arrived, Adam was constantly using his phone. Additionally, at the museums and big sights there were lots of screens for the tourist information.
Hari found it very frustrating that people were focusing more on the screens in front of them rather than the beautiful place they were currently in. This trip sparked Hari’s idea to go on his trip with nothing that could connect to the internet.
“You don’t know how to be present! You are missing your life! You’re afraid of missing out—that’s why you are checking your screen all the time! By doing that, you are guaranteeing you are missing out! You are missing your one and only life! You can’t see the things that are right in front of you, the things you have been longing to see since you were a little boy! None of these people can! Look at them!” (Hari 11)
This powerful quote above Hari explained to Adam that even though there is a major sense of missing out (FOMO) when not being on your phone, you are actually missing out on what is happening right in front of you in the present moment. I thought that this was a very interesting way of explaining it and it’s very accurate. It home to me because a lot of times people (including myself!) are more focused on documenting it on their phones with pictures, that they forget to even look.
Once Hari began his journey, he recognized how little stillness there is in this technologically absorbed world that is very quick to change. He discusses how the world is throwing too much info at us and it’s too fast and without it, there is a different kind of freedom and calmness. I know sometimes I have a beach day with no screens, it is truly makes me feel at peace.
On the other hand, the withdrawal process from his phone was very difficult as it was no longer on his nightstand or in his pocket when he looked for it. Even with self discipline, he had a tough time breaking his addiction. Powering through, he had a lot of trouble slowing down, especially in the beginning, but then fell in love with reading again in the state of flow, relaxing at the beach and observing his surroundings.
In the third chapter, he focuses his studies on sleep and how when he did not have the blue light from screens, he fell asleep more naturally and was able to wake up with no alarms and no caffeine. His Acadian Rhythm really took effect and I found that to be really interesting. I also learned how when your body is sleep deprived that it can almost be like you’re drunk and your body is in an emergency state with psychological changes. Moving forward, I will be more aware of getting enough sleep.
I look forward to hearing more about Hari’s adventures with no technology and learning how powerful our mind and body can be when we are mindful about the way we take care of it.
Hari, Johann. Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention–and How to Think Deeply Again. Crown, 2022.
Hey, I’m Ashley!
I am a graphic & interactive designer passionate about creating purposeful, fun, and engaging design. Whether it’s a brand identity, a responsive website, or a social media campaign, I love connecting ideas with strategy to make work that’s not only beautiful, but effective.
