Extreme Fasting: The Digital Diet

Foster The People - Best Friend

The benefits of foregoing to eat have been tested for thousands of years and have been proven to hold many benefits. However, when our minds consume large amounts of data, there is no built in mechanism to signal, that we are too full. Overconsumption can lead to isolation, snowball into self-deprivation, increasing anxiety, depression, and even self-harm. Studies reveal a major prcentage of the population, consumes large amounts of data through their mobile devices. And, the largest users, fall into the age range of teens. Most of which are very influential.

The tech industry is able to capitalize significantly, because this type of data was instrumental toward the super fast progression of artificial intelligence. The collective path of AI is an assemblage of our search engine inquiries, text messages, browser data, creating and mimicing varying levels of digital phenotypes. According to Wikipedia, digital phenotypes are, "moment-by-moment quantification of the individual-level human phenotype in situ using data from personal digital devices, in particular smartphones." Additionally, Wikipedia states, "Smartphone data can be used to study behavioral patterns, social interactions, physical mobility, gross motor activity, and speech production, among others"

Digital phenotypes, play a role in self-writing algorithms, ad targeting, and varying automation technologies, that are geared toward "the set it and forget mindset." Wired, featured an article regarding, the influential dynamics of algorithms. A father, is suing big tech, because he felt ad targeting was being negatively recruited through the various social media platforms his daughter, frequently engaged with. While, his daughter already battled with self-harm, he feels the social media platforms his daughter, engaged with ultimately excaerbated her symptoms and played a role in his daughter committng suicide.

Some Effective Tips: Digital Diet

Limit your-self to a set amount of tabs, when browsing.
Turn off notifications.
Create filters.
I know it may seem counterintuitive, but there are also apps, which can aid in curbing your digital habit and include; Quality Time and Space.
Try subsituting for some sleep, excercise, or taking a course.
Choose a screen filter, that will start to irritate your eyes after a certain amount of time.
Set an old fashion alarm clock, where you have get your ass up out of bed, and not just roll over to your phone. Doing so will only invite the urge to go roaming around on Facebook.

Thanks for reading!