Art of Manliness Podcast #131: Hamlet's Blackberry With William Powers

Originally published August 22, 2015 The day for many Americans goes something like this: wake-up; check phone for texts, emails, and Instagram updates; eat while surfing the web on the smartphone; shower and get dressed; drive to work while listening to a podcast; spend work dividing attention between actual work, websites on the desktop computer, and apps on smartphone; go home and listen to another podcast during the commute; grab a bite to eat; watch some DVRed TV while surfing web and apps on smartphone; go to sleep. Repeat. We have these amazing tools at our disposal that allow us to get more done, more quickly, but oftentimes it feels like we’re the tools of our tools. The result of our constant tech use is that we feel really busy while accomplishing very little. How can we gain more control of our technology so that it helps and doesn’t hinder us from living a good life? Well, my guest today argues that we should look to thinkers like Plato, Seneca, Shakespeare, and Franklin for some answers. His name is William Powers and he’s the author of the book Hamlet’s Blackberry: Building a Good Life in the Digital Age. Show Highlights How the internet can sometimes discourage deep thinking How our tech devices can encourage the “cult of busyness” What Digital Maximalism is and how it can get in the way of our productivity How the internet can both connect and disconnect us from other people What Plato, Seneca, Shakespeare, Franklin, and Thoreau can teach us about living a good life in the digital age How you can make your home a refuge from the tech world and how tech sabbaths can change your life And much more! Follow us! https://ift.tt/1FOPIX2 http://twitter.com/artofmanliness https://ift.tt/YAd15k https://ift.tt/1DUJeqE