Yes. I don't have a tiktok, I keep IG for irl contacts/old friends but do not browse, look at reels, nor check anyone's story except for 4 or 5 people im specifically seeking out. When I accidentally start scrolling i get a sense of disgust and then don't log on for like a month. I compulsively check tumblr and rsp subs. And I do so via browser.

i'm definitely not "fully detached from modern media" but i'm a zoomer and i've never had insta, twitter, facebook(?), or any other "normie" social media. this has put me in the weird position of not being online enough to relate to insta drama or tiktok sounds but online enough to know who bronze age pervert is, which is a lamentable existence. but i have indeed survived so far. i guess i survive by being "in the loop" on things that interest me, mostly via substack now, which can certainly be a time suck but it feels more novel and exciting than reddit or whatever brainrot. if you're trying to be more detached, it's helpful to have a more systematic/scheduled approach, as other posters have said. i recommend cal newport's work for this. it's corny and self-helpy and related to "productivity" (blegh), but ultimately it provides good frameworks for avoiding digital distractions without living in the woods. alternatively, you could mentally categorize every website or app you don't want to use as being in the service of "alien parasites" who are trying to control your mind. framing the issue this way has helped me.

I've cut myself off from most social media, and where I do use it I try to make it inconvenient. I access Reddit/YouTube via the web browser and signed out/with history off etc. It works reasonably well, but I still find myself drifting off into bad habits. I don't want to sound like someone who believes that life needs to be totally maximised and organised; I just spend more time on these apps then I know I want to. Of course having a busy schedule reduce your willpower to pursue more meaningful hobbies, so it's not always just your personal failing. Obviously though I'm not as totally divorced from the world as some are. It still interests me to know what's going on; if you're totally absent then you'll lose your edge in taste, which is essential for us 21st century narcissists (20 years ago, knowing who Neutral Milk Hotel was meant locating underground zines and intense crate digging; now they're considered basic as). And particularly to know what's hip you need to be deeper in, but not so deep you're terminally online. It's a juggling act without any clear correct method. In any case, you can keep in touch with the mainstream by interacting with people who regularly use social media - you get more or less an idea of what's relevant without needing to browse.

normiekillaz69

3 months ago

There is always that FOMO when it comes to niche hip stuff. Probably the only reason I still check r/redscarepod

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I don’t have social media on my phone, including YouTube which was hard to let go at first, but I’m not 100% gone from it. I’ll look at this site and some reddit literature subs for a little while every day or so, but that’s it. A YouTube video in browser now and then when I’m eating a meal. I don’t watch TV except for the new Game of Thrones show which my friends like to talk about. I do watch movies though, usually one every weekend, more if I’m in a mood. Controversial but I also limit my time listening to music because I think it can be anesthetizing and inhibits thought. I don’t feel like I’ve lost out on anything social at all personally, I’ve never had online friends. If my friends want to send me a funny video they can text it to me just as easily. I’ve also always been happiest when alone for the majority of my time. After a couple weeks of not using much social media your desire to use it drops very quickly, and all you need to do is stay a little bit conscious so that you’re not sucked back in. I did it because I’m sort of obsessive about managing my time as there are things I want to have done before I die, mostly having to do with reading books and writing stuff I’m proud of, so the free time goes towards that. It took me like a year of wanting to do this before I just deleted everything and was done with it. Sorry for the long comment lol.

normiekillaz69

3 months ago

This seems like a good place to make Internet friends! I definitely feel less alienated knowing that other people have essentially checked out and dedicated their time to reading books. Easier to do when you have a fake email job lol

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