🌱 Fighting “infinite scroll” (and the engineer who regrets inventing it)

This week we’re talking about dopamine and a quick connection game. 

Here’s the rundown in 3 minutes. 

⚡ Dope, a Meme

Here’s a powerful image of the rise of dopamine culture.

It’s from this essay that’s equal parts interesting and disturbing. 

“Everything is gamified. Anything can be scrollable.”

It’s everywhere when you think about it. Finish a YouTube video, the next one pops up instantly. Same with Netflix, apps, etc.

Turns out, the tech engineer who invented the infinite scroll deeply regrets it:

When our brains don’t have time to catch up with our impulses, we just keep scrolling…

So how can we slowwww downnnn? 

Here are two ideas I’ve been testing:

1. Delete one app. I deleted twitter/x from my phone last week. It’s crazy how often I still go to open it.

2. No phone in the bathroom. I wrote a short poem about this a few years ago. But am bringing it back. Bathroom time always meant scroll twitter time. But now it’s creative thinking time!

Challenge: 

Delete one phone app from your phone right now.

Don’t think about it. Just do it.

Then hit reply and let me know what you removed.

💆‍♂️ 3 Minute Game

I started doing curiosity conversations and people seem to love the 3 minute insights of the newsletter. 

Sooo I found something interesting I think you’ll like. (Also, it’s offline so no tech/dopamine rushes required.)

It’s called The 3 Minute Game. 

I tested it out last weekend with the gf and it was insightful for both of us. 

Here’s how it works. 

In just 3 minutes it gives you insights into your partner’s and your own wants/needs/desires/likes/dislikes, your ability to communicate what you want, and much more.

• First round: Each asks “For the next 3 minutes, how would you like to be touched?”

• Second round: Each asks, “For the next 3 minutes, how would YOU like to touch ME for YOUR pleasure?” 

The second round is where most people have an epiphany. They have no idea as they’ve never considered the question before. (Btw, this is non-sexual touch for those getting curious.)

The whole idea is to just notice what you feel. 

Check out the game and video here.

🧠 Reaiming Dopamine

Okay, we know dopamine culture is rising… but what if we used that to our advantage? 

Instead of scrolling low-quality fluff (IG, tiktok, etc) we could scroll high-quality book summaries.

Using tools like Headway on AppSumo or Blinkist we can consume quality, distilled summaries. 

Not as a replacement for books, but instead as a preview or supplement.

I recommend checking out Digital Minimalism to start. 

Salud, 
Mitchell