Cell phone as self-own
I recently had the shower thought about the phonetic similarity between "cell phone" and "self-own".
Naturally, there is an Urban Dictionary entry for this from 2021, so it's hardly original.
Cell Phone Self Own
When your phone's autocorrect absolutely savages you.
When you are texting in bed and accidently drop your cellphone on your face.
I posit that merely using a cell phone these days is a self-own.
A lot has been written about the negative effects of cell phones on our mental health, productivity, and social interactions. Funnily enough, the Wikipedia page for Problematic Smartphone Use has sections for positive and negative effects, with the negative effects absolutely dwarfing the other.
All I can contribute here is my own experience.
When my phone is present, it is so hard to not get completely owned by it.
Swipe, flick, tap, pull. The mechanics are so engrained that merely checking the time can lead to an extended session of scrolling on social media, or reading the news, or checking email.
The best way I've found to avoid this is to not have my phone with me. 'Do not disturb' enabled; placed face-down on a table; or better yet, in my bag in another room.
My attempts to break free have an ebb and flow. Whenever I renew my conviction to use my phone less, there is defintely an anxiety to work through: chat/email/instagram needs me to check it! This squarely puts me in "consumption mode".
Of course, after a while, it is just so much nicer to not have that anxiety. To not be constantly checking my phone. To not be constantly interrupted by notifications. To not be constantly bombarded with information.
I can focus on the task at hand. I can be present with the people around me. I can enjoy the moment.
I can be free.
Do you feel the same? Is there something that works for you?