We need to ask ourselves: why are we addicted to our phones?

In last week’s edition of Dense Discovery, publisher Kai Brach linked to an article, written by Kate Wagner, challenging the notion that our phones are over overpoweringly addictive. But they are, aren’t they? To Wagner’s mind, excessive smartphone use is a behaviour we have developed. But what is at the root of this behaviour? What do we seek in constantly checking our phone? Why can’t we instead focus on a work task, watch a movie in its entirety, or sit on a train looking at the view out the window, without the need to see what’s happening somewhere else? Why can’t we even be enveloped by a bit of boredom now and then, and let the emotion take its course, before reaching for the phone? Wagner’s article is worth reading in full, something you can of course do with your phone.