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When the monkey falls in love with the mobile || Acharya Prashant, Intnl Psychology Summit (2023)
Breaking Free
1.9K views
2 years ago
Doom scrolling
Internal discipline
Purpose
Technology
Science
Intelligence
Freedom
Spirit of inquiry
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the issue of doom scrolling and digital addiction by explaining that such behaviors arise when an individual has too much unoccupied time and lacks a challenging purpose. He argues that having free time is only beneficial for those who are inwardly free; for others, it becomes a tool for self-annihilation. He suggests that one should remain busy with meaningful tasks until late at night, leaving no room for mindless scrolling. If an individual cannot maintain internal discipline, they should seek a taskmaster or a mentor to provide the necessary external pressure and discipline to stay on track. He further observes a dangerous disconnect between modern technology and the internal state of the human mind. While devices like mobile phones are products of immense scientific intelligence and sophistication, they are often used by individuals who lack that same intelligence or spirit of inquiry. He describes this situation as a 'gorilla' holding a sophisticated computer, leading to catastrophic results for the individual and the world. He emphasizes that to deserve the fruits of science and technology, one must first cultivate a dedication to knowledge, discovery, and a spirit of inquiry, rather than living a life of superstition and mental crudeness.