Thinking About Attention -- Walk with Me
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- Опубликовано: 9 окт 2024
- Blog post with the details: www.cgpgrey.com...
More Grey vlogs: • SURPRISE VLOG: Las Vegas
Further discussion on Hello Internet: • H.I. #109: Twitter War...
Further discussion on Cortex: • The Biggest Challenge ...
Discussion: old.reddit.com/r/CGPGrey/comments/9fwmhl/thinking_about_attention/
CGPGrey2
Ironic.
Kind of ironic, this comment.
Not going to this link. other than not having an account, I fully expect there to be either a silent shaming meme or a rickroll.
We care about you grey, thank you for this video
Could you tell us how you felt after having done this for some time? Or would that be doing exactly what you are trying to avoid?
8:32 Imma be honest with you chief I stuck around because you said I will probably stop watching the video,
Pride is also a trap lol
Viewer retention 100%
For you Destin, maybe. But while you're getting smarter every day with your 100%, a lot aren't.
The only place such media seems to have 'invaded' my own life is at night. I'll have podcasts playing all night as a 'buffer' to external noise, and constantly check for new content as an alternative to simply going (back) to sleep.
But CGP makes a resonant point here about how such tendancies can grow if not kept in check.
I enjoyed walking with Grey. I have a similar walk not far from me. I should do that, next time, rather than watching it on a phone.
Would merely listening to the video count?.
@@Varksterable I know it’s a year-old comment, but anyways... It’s a joke about how people will feel pressured to keep the retention up
Destin, this comment deserves more likes.
As much as I am playing into Grey's game by reading the comments, and even posting to them, I just find the end of this video something very interesting. It is obviously no accident that Grey warns us some people wont make it to the end of the video, and then goes on to leave around 2 minutes at the end of the video, just showing the field he chose to sit in front of. It's hard to admit I was forcing myself not to click off the video. I knew this was his big test to get us to reflect on how bad this problem really is for us individually. First he wanted you to think about the issue, and then he presented it right in your face. I honestly think the only reason I stuck around was because I thought of it like a challenge by Grey. On any other video I would have clicked off and moved on, which uncomfortable and scary to think about...
I ended up just... taking it as something of release. I just, sat back, and watched, and listened. There were all the birds I think, the wind dancing in nature. I think that kept me still, not wanting to click off.
I don't think it was meant as a game. I think he's genuinely concerned. He's not lambasting anyone for falling into the trap of social media, he's just pointing it out and I guess hoping someone gets something out of it
Completely agree. The scary thing to me is...that was only two minutes. It felt so long and yet I can have hours pass by on RUclips and wonder where the time went.
I sat back and read comments :/
everything i wanted to say , said better than i hoped to.
"Are your thoughts original when your mind is filled with voices of others?"
I too wonder at times and recently
Why would we care about originality? We just live our authentic lives.
Lets talk about the camera stabilization though!
right? how is this so professional? was Grey carrying around a casey neistat rig and dubbiing the audio in in post? cos this shit is like real
Yes please! What is that rig he was using? Cuz I want it. XD
Probably a hand-held gimbal for a cell phone, like the DJI Osmo Mobile 2.
I think Thats done by an algorithm, it basically trims the rotates every picture, resulting in lower resolution But much higher stabilization (this + gymball 🤷♂️)
Depending on the recoding program/app it can have some very good quality stabilization options.
I have to watch a lot of lectures for medical school and I started four different videos today and finished zero of them. I even re-started them and couldn’t get more than halfway through it. Shit, man. I am with you.
I was the same last semester. In class, lectures were no problem to sit, listen and do nothing else. But, as soon as I had to watch online ones I would be on 4 tabs and have the video play at x2 speed, I even fell asleep while watching them once. Good luck dude!
Same with me while studying medicine..few minutes of distraction turns into hours lost
@@pig8817 You're doing better than me then! When I go to lectures, even if it's on a topic I'm really interested in, I can't help but reach for my phone if I have it with me. I've had to ban myself from taking my laptop now because if I'm using that to make notes I literally can't stop myself from opening twitter in another tab.
This is true of basically everyone, watch the lectures at a desk in full screen and put the keyboard on the floor.
Same here. Lectures for cognitive science leave me scrolling Twitter; Instagram; Reddit; Google news. I want to focus.
Those shots of the restaurants/bars with the big devices in front of every single chair are terrifying
I'm pretty sure that was George Bush int airport in Houston. I have ADHD and it was a huge overload of stimulation even for myself.
I completely agree. I have also been concerned about such issues. And with the advancement of technology and the current business model of many companies, things aren't looking so well. Particularly, the youngest generation, the kids growing up surrounded by electronics, may never realize what they have missed by being drowned in a world of meaningless flashing colors. And what will happen a few more generations further down? How will our society look like in the future? How are we going to tackle the big problems, fix the climate, battle diseases and poverty, if most of us no longer think or care about these issues?
I'm actually more curious what you could actually do with those devices. In my experience most places with build in screens just wants to reduce staff, and the machines can't do anything beyond showing the menue and taking orders.
I've seen some restaurants with tablets like these, and a lot of times they have games and stuff on them.
The really weird part about that place was that it was just completely empty. All those tablets, all those TVs, and nobody interacting with them.
I'm unaware of what the problem exactly is. Or, really, why it's a problem
I can't help but feel there is a certain irony to the widgets popping up wanting our attention for the last 20s of the video.
Thanks for the walk Grey, I'm going out for a walk with my dad this afternoon, like we do most weekends. It's nice to get away from the screens and the buzz of electricity and just walk.
Seconds into starting this video i found myself scrolling through the comments without thinking about it, i think i do this for most youtube videos i watch these days, does anyone else do the same?
I watched this on iPad while playing a game on the phone.
Ditto
I oftentimes find that the top comments on videos are typically from people presenting a different point of view or pointing out flaws with the content of the video. While on some more entertaining ones it does not matter, if I'm watching something educational, checking comments is usually a quick way to see if there are any critical flaws with material. I can then check the facts on my own if I so desire, but it gives me a head start on where I might want to focus.
No. oh wait, dammit.
David Hicks read this while doing this
Feel pretty stupid after fast forwarding to when he started talking then getting told I wouldn't have attention to watch the full video.
Good video.
I've been walking 10000 steps a day for about 9 months (yeah.. I know there is no evidence it does anything, but it works for me).
This means on my less active days (generally Mon, Wed, Sat) I have to go for a 45 min walk over lunch, during which I generally let my mind wander and think about all my personal projects.
However, I've recently discovered podcasts, so started listening to them while I walked... but I realised I disliked them them eating into my "contemplation time", so I decided that I would only listen to a chosen few, maybe once a week and leave the remaining days for my mind to wander.
... but why am I even writing this...
No one other than the channel owner reads the comments on RUclips, and if you are taking a break from doing so (for which I respect you)... I'm just typing to myself...Doh.. I need to back away from the keyboard ;)
Well atleast sixteen people read ypur comment. It's not only Grey.
I've had a similar experience where I try to bike at least a 5k a day, but I've recently started listening to music during it. I'm not sure if that's a decision I should or want to reverse
@@trevormoorman624 i don't think music and podcasts are the same. Music is a smaller problem imo, cause I can still think during listening to music.
I was about to say the same, music doesn't tend to block my thoughts unless it's very lyric based. I will often listen to music while walking, although I select instrumental, or electronic/dance music, where there are no lyrics, or they are more rhythmical in nature.
+xWood4000 from the replies and likes, you are clearly correct and my poor attempt at humour has fallen somewhat flat ;) :D
hey cgpgrey2
i know your problem
you should check out cgpgrey's video "7 ways to maxamize misery"
he is a great youtuber
his voice is soothing just like yours
I can't tell if you're joking or not.
he is.
Ways not way ok now I’ll get back to solitary confinement and maximize my misery again
woosh
Good one XD
This was actually very calming.
Hey CGP, even though the probability of you reading this comment is even lower than normally, I want to say that this video really was a good one. You address an issue that is underestimated by most people and do it in a very effective way. Keep them good ones coming.
Stop with these hand spoilers damnit
That is NOT what I imagined his hands look like, and now I can never go back to my mental image 😩
I thought we were about to get me chompers spoilers 😮
Oh my god, what a wake up call. I’ve been filling my time with podcasts too and trying to spend every second being “productive”. I used to be able to comfortably spend time with myself when I was going to therapy but since I’ve stopped, I’ve gone back to this whole trying to fill my time thing. You’re right. I need to step back. Thanks.
THIS. Thank you for the video Grey. I think wake up call is indeed the operative turn of phrase. Not only for my sake, but for my children's as well, as I see them going down the same path.
We ARE time! Fill it with yourself
What podcasts?
Seriously. I spend too much time on random forums and subreddits in order to socialize with others about my hobbies, but it seems to ultimately do more harm than good, but I've kinda just been on them for nearly two decades now and I've had some serious trouble trying to leave some forums that went downhill hard. Internet addiction is a very real thing.
And it's only gotten worse with politics over the last couple of years. I don't know about most of you, but it practically feels like my mind is getting damaged every time I hear frustrating things I can't do anything about. I've always stuck to humor and just making fun of such things, but in an environment where you're treated like a monster and receive death threats for even just joking around, I really want no part in all of this.
*Honestly*
The awkward moment someone brings to my attention that I can't pay attention like I used too.
I used to take pride in myself for being able to finish a book in a few hours, to hold attention for long periods of time. For 6 years of using the internet I was able to hold on, but I recently noticed how often I started using my phone, I can't focus as much, in fact I almost left this video in 20secs but I realized it was a Grey video. I need to retake what is rightfully mine
I'll be honest, I spend time every weekend just staring at the ocean and thinking. It's super enjoyable and a necessary part of every week. It really helps me "figure myself out." I usually pull up a paper and put it in front of me and just read in silence, sometimes glancing up and thinking about where I am at and where I want to go in the future.
I would recommend doing this regularly. It's incredibly helpful!
I have been thinking about this for years. I’m sad that a lot of my attempts to distance myself from the everflowing river of attention grabbing information have been futile because they have disconnected me from today’s ”connected” society. I hope you find your way.
It's a challenge. Even when we KNOW about it and want to change our behaviour... it's a challenge.
Project Cyclops! Also if this was the video you were debating about releasing on the last HI, I'm glad to see it. Good luck on Cyclops Grey!
Also, my god, that ending was brilliant. Great video.
I agree, very Refreshing.
True, but this is cgpgrey2, I don't think we've subscribed for anything specific other than more grey
Definitely not the same video, it sounded like it was a controversial topic thing more than this, cyclops is a new development and I can't see any reason he'd hesitate to upload it
As a direct proof of the discussed, I had caught myself in the intention to nudge the mouse and check the time-slider on the final, "silent" part of the video. Didn't do it, but the intention was there.
DwarfInBlues Same! But I don't see it as a failure. I noticed that the intention was there on my mind, and then I let go of it. After a while it reappeared and I let go of it again.
I did and it felt wrong. :(
Ha, i didn't need to nudge to see the time remaining because mobile, but i know i did look at it a fair amount throughout.
I did
Same here.
There was also the two popups at the very end, also tugging. I am not sure if they arew intentionally placed, but they illustrated it well.
Okay, but that middle tree at the end totally looked like a face
Pareidolia!
True, I see an old bald guy
Word!
I was actually scared
The tree next to the space ship? Or the one by the pinata?
"when was the last time you were just with yourself"
Egh, hate that guy, no thanks.
A valid point eloquently portrayed. My question, however,
Who's Doggos were they?
Is this secretly a black mirror episode narrated by Grey?
It's like an Anti Black Mirror, trying to prevent what Black Mirror warns of.
794613825a This makes me want to see an episode of Black Mirror made entirely from actual footage of real life.
@Vicarious *when a person can't distinguish a video from reality*
It is yet another episode of Grey Mirror
When you start this video thinking that you are superior and you don’t fall into this trap then end up seeing another more interesting looking video and click off only then realizing that you are the exact type of person he is talking about
to be far, with this kind of argument its almost impossible to be right on the viewer side of it. Even if you genuinely thought the video was boring and something more interesting and thoughtful was just to the right of it, clicking away just puts you in the group with the short-attentive people, regardless of how reasonable you may be.
Adam Nope go to sleep it’s midnight
To be fair, the video is boring and doesn't really tell you anything you haven't already heard from someone (usually some senior citizen friendly TV program quoted by a grandmother or an uncle).
It's just Greys recap and opinion on an old debate.
Without the "dare" in the beginning I would not have watched all of it, and now that I have I don't think I gained anything from it.
It's not a recap. It's an experiment. He's using the excuse of the walk and telling us his thoughts on the way to make an experiment we can use on ourselves for self-diagnosis. Super clever and super meta. And thoughtful. And interesting.
@@DigitalAmy I disagree, I feel that he did that as a way to encourage you to go on your own walks, reminding you and giving you a taste of what he means of just your own thoughts. Not a self diagnosis thing. I think your giving the man too much credit.
I understand it would defeat the purpose to some extent, but I would love to have more of these types of videos. Highly enjoyable, thank you Grey.
I don't know why, but I felt as if I was about to tear up with the sound of the woods. I was at peace and it was as if my mind could speak again. Thank you Grey. I'm going to commit more time to myself and my own head space. Free from the net and other things that take me away from myself.
I stared at the scene for the last 3 three minutes and I literally began reflecting on life but then the video ended and I realized how fast the three minutes had passed despite usually me thinking that three minutes of doing nothing is really long
I read the comments too much on everything. Right now I am reading comments on this video instead of finishing watching it. I have it paused. I read comments all day every day and it has taken over my free time, it really is strange. I find myself on reddit comment threads for such mundane stupid things. I will end up reading every last comment, ones that only have one point. I enjoy reading comment threads but I find that they are just most of the same repeated phrases and jokes, over and over and over.
I mean me too, thanks.
That last part is about Reddit, and that's the part I hate about it.
There could be an article about 100 children dying in a faraway land, and the top comments will always be cheesy puns or some other form of joke. Either humans care the most about attention, or we feel that our input isn't going to change anything anyways. Probably both, but the latter is false.
It could also be because of reddit's sorting system. People don't agree on serious things, like the cause of the deaths in your example, and thus that comment will get less upvotes as people upvote and downvote based on agreement and not quality. Jokes on the other hand are upvoted by most people (unless of course it's political). Even if it's a pretty bad joke, some easily amused people will upvote it and since it's for such a large audience, it becomes one of the top comments. 1% of a million is better than 100% of a thousand.
Yeah you're absolutely right, thanks for the insight. Still really irks me, I don't read the comments in a news sub to have a laugh. I guess the problem lies in people misusing the voting system to upvote stuff they like, rather than stuff that contributes to the conversation.
You know, I started reading the comments too (obvious, I know). I read one that I wanted to check the replies on, but first decided to read a few more down and got to this one. I read through most of it, was just about to finish it when I just glanced at the last 20 or so words then instinctively scrolled up to look at the replies of that earlier comment. As soon as I did, I caught myself and came back, actually finished reading your comment, internalized it, _then_ went to look at that other comment.
Grey is so right about this. It's scary, really.
i recommend y'all unsub from those subreddits, it's standard advice that a new account should immediately unsub from all the default subreddits. When a sub gets way too big, it gets too big to be relevant anymore, it devolves into a circus's audience.
I'm not knocking circuses, everyone loves circuses, but that's the problem. Get a wide enough range of people together and the only thing they'll agree on is that they all like circuses.
Is it bad that in the end I only didn't skip ahead because I thought he was testing me
Nah dude, you were strong enough to convince yourself to focus
He was. That's the point. To force you to confront that. It was brilliant
Yet the real test was you testing yourself
Lol I was just self reflecting on my problems.
It's Sunday morning and I feel like I've just listened to the Sermon of Grey. In a good way. Is this our new religion? Wise words. FWIW I watched every second of this... including the advert.
Mindfulness 😊
#GreyIsTheVillain
@@ILikeMoviesChannel no u 😂
I would join.. I'm currently in between religions.
Me too
When I'm bored, Instead of just switching on a podcast, I've started just writing a journal of every thought that pops into my head. It's actually really fun to just reflect on what you wrote previous days or even hours ago.
You should have stretched out the part where you sat in silence. I didn't want it to end.
Having watched this video, and having enjoyed engaging with its ideas and taking that last minute or so to just relax, I immediately stopped reflecting once the video ended to read all of the comments. I'm weak.
Hypocritical Sailboat Damn, you're right, same here...
I wonder what proportion of empirically validated benefits of meditation are down to just this
I've often wondered if an artificial intelligence would need quiet time and sleep. Natural intelligences do, but we don't seem to know *why* they do.
RUclips worlds collide! Mind blown! /s ;)
@@gasdive pretty sure we know quite well why we sleep, check 'knowing better' video on dreams
We should do a meta analysis of meditation studies done before and after the advent of the internet and social media.
@@Rizhiy13 I scanned all the knowing better videos, but couldn't find it. However neuroscientists are still happy to be quoted as saying we don't know why we sleep. amp-livescience-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.livescience.com/32469-why-do-we-sleep.html?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQECAFYAQ%3D%3D#referrer=www.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s
My god, this was so much more deep then I thought it was going to be. When he talked about the reading and thinking to myself, it hit me hard. I have trouble reading aswell, I feel like I can have so much more enjoyment from just looking at Reddit, but I haven't read a good book in awhile. When I was younger I feel like I would ponder on myself so much more, now I look at my phone every 5 seconds. I feel like a 80 yr old man talking about how "back in my day" but damn this video was beautifully made.
I decided to put my phone away for the day unless necessary.
I've been online and sitting in front of computers all day since the 1990s. This problem existed for me long before the invention of the smart phone.
Great video BTW.
What are your thoughts about it? Did you face any long term challenges? If yes, how did you overcome them?
9:21 I love how if you’ve been paying attention the whole time it feels like Grey is sitting down with you and you’re a part of that world
The thing that I have worried about before and still do is the fact that, truly, most of my opinions aren't my own and the first thing I default too on complicated topics are the media channels and people I respect. I almost always hear someone's else's opinion before I have time to make my own. I've been getting better with this though
I get that sometimes as well. It goes away once you stop listening to the news and social media all the time and take everything you hear with with a grain of salt.
I do this as well and I'm trying to change the habit. In some ways it can be a healthy habit to have, especially with complex issues, reserve judgement until you are able to collect more data from trusted sources. Too often people have a knee jerk reaction to a piece of news and then stick to that opinion even when shown opposing evidence out of fear of being proven wrong. I do agree though, doing this for everything is excessive.
I agree with the idea you present in this video. In the past, I've been the type of person who NEEDED to fill my time with things. I couldn't stand being idle and left alone with my thoughts. Over this summer, I've been trying to get better at it. One thing that makes it difficult though is that my mind is not always a nice place to be. Depression and anxiety make me think things that hurt me, and make me feel bad and isolated from others. Sometimes it's just easier to keep myself from thinking than to confront these unhelpful thoughts. And this is still something that I struggle with. But I can recognize that simply filling up my time in an attempt to never have to think isn't going to stop these thoughts from happening, they're just more internalized. They go from being things that I explicitly hear myself say to myself to whispers on the edge of my mind, constantly affecting how I act and feel. Filling up my time doesn't stop me from being depressed, it just makes me pretend like maybe I'm not, while I continue avoiding all the things that make me hurt. The hurt never goes away, just builds. So learning how to be alone with yourself I think is an important skill, if not just for our attention but also our mental health.
Well maybe these thoughts are so powerful and they get powerful because you don't allow them to get to surface? Maybe you fighting it off is actually not just prolonging the problem - what if it's making it worse? And I know what I'm talking about, I have a ton of scary shit in my head every day.
I totally agree. I think that's part of the problem with always having stuff to distract you, always keeping your mind occupied and moving on the second you lose interest. You never actually deal with all the shit in your brain. It just builds and builds and then you need even more stimulation to keep them at bay and it's this endless cycle of shitty thoughts and needing distraction from them. Sitting with them is never easy, but hey, that's what friends and therapists are for I guess.
Meditate
I’m wondering what the viewer retention will be like on this video.
What video?
Yes I feel the same. After college and having difficulties finding a job a spent too much time on youtube and reddit. Now I feel my mind is gone.
This is the exact process I'm going through now...
But to remember what you were like before?You used to grab all those bananas it was horrible, I think you have improved.
Let yourself get bored
This makes much more sense to me after having watched the Social Dilemma. Thank you, Grey.
This issue became so worse with tik tok and that leading to reels on instagram and shorts on RUclips
Watched this in the shower...
Guru da Ciência same
@@Dion6103 feels bad man
Same. Get put on blast before you even put your clothes on in the morning.
It's something that I needed to hear in the shower though, I felt so specifically called out that it was impossible to misconstrue. I then spent the next 20 minutes in silence just thinking, and it's something that I need to work into my daily routine
minecraft15555 good for you man, change is hard but worthwhile. I felt called out as well since I have a beautiful designer phone case, that was a present from my wife, I never use it since it would get ruined in the shower. I’m going to put it on now.
Mr. Chompers, is that yo...another Mr. Chom...3 of them? Mr. Chompers has siblings?
They're clones. He spray painted them a different color so no one would know
Mr Chompers must be much bigger from what Grey said on the podcast
Caro K I think the first two dogs could look like Mr. Chompers. But the third one is a pug.
I think it's trick for Mr. Grey showing the Mr .Chompers to the interwebs, without showing who is Mr. Chompers.
and (most likely) a girl. I had the impression that mister chompers was a larger breed
I've been thinking of this a lot since the episode Cyclops and I can't help but feel I am in this boat with you. The last time I bought a phone I seriously considered going back to a flip phone. And I'm thinking I really should have.
Your analogy of leashes feels eerily spot on. You saying that almost made the pull feel tangible.
I love walks but I've been going out less and less. I grew up with a dog that got me out of the house a ton, but since she's left I have absolutely replaced that time with screen time. That was YEARS ago. Some of the best therapy I've had.
I thoroughly enjoyed your video. It's given me a lot of motivation and it's time to finally act on somethings I know are issues. Now.
Thank you
Semper Li i can relate...dogs are the best though...best therapists around for all kinds of stuff :)
I did that once, for six weeks. And I noticed that I still very often kept my phone in my hands, even though there were no notifications, nothing that had to be dealt with immediately. I kept checking it and it really showed me why I keep doing it. Whenever an uncomfortable thought or situation comes up, I immediately pick up my phone to distract myself. That is at least one big reason. When I don't want to deal with the thoughts my mind wanders to, I distract it.
As usual, Grey hits the nail right on it's head. I noticed this attentional deficit creeping up on me over the last couple of years. My best counter-strategy so far - solo sea kayaking. Nothing else I've found clears my mind like getting off the coast, my body concentrating on keeping the kayak upright. Clears the mind beautifully for reflective thought.
If you ever fancy giving it a try CGPG, drop me a message.
"pulling attention apart is pulling a mind apart" Yup! Taking a break from the internet always gets me thinking and working more.
I forgot for a moment that I wasn't watching a Veritasium video. Love existential walkabout videos like this. This is the exact opposite sentiment to Twenty-one Pilots "Car Radio". Both are equally valid. I would switch off to the internet but hard when it's part of your job.
That was amazing and just what I needed. I've found this to be a pretty common idea to reflect on and be troubled with and I like that you've turned the idea into a very subtle call to action. Of course, even that is another "something to do" in our ever-hungry-for-"something to do"-culture, but it still feels like the right path out of a downward spiral.
I have recently noticed that there is a different meaning of the term "attention deficit", and it's basically the exact mirror of what you're talking about in this video: It's me, needing the attention of fellow human beings in order to feel well. Just like those media sourced want the attention of us all in order to function. It makes me think about whether the world I help create with my thoughts, words, choices and actions is a desirable one.
This video made me homesick. Your woods aren't my woods, but since moving to Western Canada, I haven't had a good long walk through the forest like I used to do daily back on the East coast. You talk about reflection in the shower, but walking in nature was my therapy. Now that it's been brought to my attention, it's staggering how much of my self is missing. Thanks for the reminder.
I've been on a week long holiday recently and decided to leave my phone in my hotel room to see how I react. Spending time reading a book and thinking about life without being interrupted by the urge of checking if I have new notifications or messages was incredible. I need this feeling throughout my life, not just for a week.
Judging the comments it seems to me that with all this "paying attention" comes a deep, burning human need to be heard, to be paid attention *to* ...to be reciprocated: to receive attention.
I'm sure Grey senpai will notice you.
Everyone is lonely.
Which is in turn hacked by people and corporations that want to exploit that human feeling to make money
I watched all the way through but paused before you started talking to look up French bulldogs...
Thanks KS to Samsung S9™ multitasking windows I sent 4 texts and 5 Twitter DMs while watching this video about chilling out. I think over communication might be another problem of mine. I'm constantly connecting with others.
Thank you very much for the long pause at the end. A lot of us probably really needed that. I know I do.
I wish you all the best. As you progress through all the change you undergo while you had my attention I always was drawn to your imperfections and inner contradictions. Thanks for sharing these.
Watched to the end out of guilt, but filled up the time by reading the comments and writing this.
I’m so glad I stuck this video out! I was about to change..
It was a while since I felt this kind of depth!
God job Grey, keep it up!
I think you're absolutely spot on, if not a little overly philosophical about it. I'm in an interesting situation as I work as a systems engineer in the IT industry. Technology is my bread and butter, so I can't just take a break. I've had to train myself to ignore the distractions whilst still being productive in a visually noisy, notification-rich environment. I'm not going to dive into my systems or techniques, but I've found that they can be applied very much to the rest of my life as well. I guess what I'm saying is you can definitely have your cake and eat it too, but it does take some time. Having said that I fully support this video. Mate, take a break. Take a deep breath. Cleanse the brain and come back fresh with a new outlook. We'll all still be here when you do.
It's about doing the little things where you can. Uninstall the facebook app, turn off notifications for things like twitter or news websites, don't click on to the obviously clickbait video, get a real watch instead of an apple watch. Make checking twitter or reddit a deliberate act, rather than something that sucks you in against your will.
This has been plaguing me for a while, and I’m really thankful that I discovered this. It helped me digest and really understand my own situation.
We are really going to miss you grey. I am so thankful for what you’ve taught me and I respect your choice to step back from the inter webs. I’ve taken to heart a lot of what you have said in this video and I’m considering taking similar steps. I think it’s important to focus on the content and digestion of what we intake versus a constantly distracted mind. I’m gonna miss you grey😢
I once went for a walk and decided to take a break from the internet for a week, so I put my Laptop in a drawer and taped it shut. Guess how long I could do without it.. 1 day. Not my proudest moment.
New video?
I thought you made podcasts.
Admittedly that last 20 seconds was hard, and I watch everything in double speed
Damn...that is a very short attention span if you have to see everything that fast...how old are you?
@@fmshazam not old. Just preserving time or trying to consume as much in little time.
I don't think I've ever seen a truer and more personally relatable video. I've noticed this problem he talks about in myself over the last few years. As a teen, I used to devour books; I could read a 400 or 500 pager in a few days. Now in my 30s, I struggle to make it through 2-3 pages before my mind is screaming for me to tear away from the book and go do something else. I'm afraid it might be more insidious than even CGP is suggesting. I don't just get bored when trying to focus; I get anxious, almost panicky. My diaphragm and stomach muscles knot up. That in itself forces me even more strongly to change activities, just to relieve the tension and discomfort. And nine times out of ten, the thing my mind is trying to draw me back towards, away from the book... is my smartphone. It has truly become frightening, what technology may be doing to us.
This is timely and well-considered, as usual. Thank you for your insight, and I hope you find your time away to be healing and helpful. I think you're right, we should all take a step back from our screens.
An outro card on a video about breaking away from screens? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
This video has a good point. I’ve been wondering about a similar effect upon myself too. I’ll definitely be using ScreenTime in iOS 12.
I think a balance is better than extremes, like everything in life, and a finely tuned balance, to the individual, is what everyone needs for true success.
This really applies here.
Ultimately you define that balance. So improve you.
for some reason hearing grey chuckle at the puppies at the beginning of this vid made me really happy!
I had the most productive day at work ever after listening to this in the shower (heh). This struck a chord so hard with how i've been feeling and I just deleted the apps that do this too me. Its been affecting my work so badly and just cutting that out made such an improvement instantly. Thanks Grey, I know you won't see this but you've done me a huge favour.
Thanks for sharing this. About a year ago, I left a comment on a related TED talk video about the addictiveness of cell phones - it seems appropriate to re-post it here: "This is incredibly important, and why I'd encourage anyone to get outdoors with friends and family - you would not believe how good it feels to spend an entire week off the grid, completely disconnected from phones, the internet, and notification of any kind. Push past a day or two of withdrawal and begin to find a rhythm. It's incredibly therapeutic... but there's no shortcut, link, or app for it... you have to experience it for yourself. Given the opportunity, I think most of us have a natural affinity for nature and being around other people... so it's a shame we spend so much of our time away from the people and places that we resonate with most." :)
A few years ago I spent a weekend in the country where I couldn't get any reception on my phone.
It was very, very nice. I think we all need a break from the grid every once in a while.
Very well said. I'm craving this.
sweetly flow the lulling sound of CPGrey's Voice.... what did he say again?
this video made me aware of so many mentally exhausting behaviours. thank you for deconstructing the different things we do all the time without even realizing it, it really helped improve how I spend my time along with the state of my mental health. i cannot express enough gratitude.
Thanks for this video. I’m a perfect example of the person you are talking about. If I have nothing to do I spend hours filling my brain with RUclips videos. I’ve noticed lately that if a video is any more than 5 minutes long I’m not interested in it because it’s to long. I love CGPGery videos but I almost didn’t watch this one because of the length of it. Now I’m glad I did because it was a good slap in the face to wake me up to reality.
I have trouble paying attention because of existential dread, not the internet.
Yup. Started taking audiobooks into the shower so I could take one without crying.
Face your existential dread and it will shrink. Try to escape from it and it will grow larger.
Yep. In the last bit of the video, I realised that I like to keep my mind constantly moving and occupied because it doesn’t give my anxiety enough time to take over. It’s not a particularly healthy coping mechanism, but it’s a coping mechanism nonetheless
Climate change is a thing that is real and humans are not going to do enough to mitigate its impact.
Often can't get to sleep without someone talking or at least some music. But I suppose we are the exceptions.
Just deleted Reddit, Instagram and Twitter, I am with you man! PS Where did you shoot this, its beautiful.
I'm also wanting to know where that park is located
it almost looks like Amsterdamse Bos(Amsterdam forest). but also there are things which doesn't; like some slopes and hills :)
I too am trying to step back from the internet for a while, but RUclips is my downfall... I'll manage eventually!
This seems relevant to the livestream today.
Lately I also started listening to podcasts during bath time. I have this daily "thinking moment" before sleeping, when I already went to bed but hasn't fallen asleep yet.
I have the opposite... I have a 'no electronics while in shower' policy but Grey whispers into my ears as I drift into sleep
I'm so glad you brought this up. I share this concern with so many others, and struggle with this myself. I feel that the opposite of submitting to the attention-grabbers is mindfulness. As a up-and-coming software developer, I want to make apps and websites that incorporate mindfulness somehow, so that users can gain the benefit of a technology without being subjugated by it. This idea seems to be the opposite of the current trend, but I'm still going to fight to find a way. Thank you for this, this reminder. I needed it. I want to help.
Cgp grey: *talks*
Me: *reading youtube comments/constantly flicks between tabs*
video: *hits Silences*
Me: "this is boring"
feelsbadman
My phone glitched and I couldn't click anywhere. Found myself browsing discord on my computer.
My problem with this is it might be construed or misconstrued as a "you won't watch this video" it's saying ah your attention span is so short you can't watch this, thereby making people make themselves watch it to prove they have a superior attention span and/or mind. Don't know, just an idea.
I agree with this. When someone says something like that it sounds like a challenge, and I'm the type of person that likes to complete challenges. If I went into the video without being told that I probably won't finish it then I actually might not have. But the video wasn't that boring anyway. He had some interesting things to talk about and some calming visuals to go along with them. Not the most exciting thing, sure, but it wasn't as uninteresting as he made it sound.
As a counter point, I think grey's point necessitates the challenge. From his stance the very people he was speaking to, the ones developing attention problems from internet exposure, would have trouble or even be unable to watch his entire video as he makes his point. The challenge then becomes a means by which to hold people's attention, allowing grey to make his point.
The video itself also lends itself as a proof of concept argument as it's drawn out specifically in a way to force the viewer to fight their own attention span. It's just interesting enough to hold a persons attention if they Try to pay attention, it uses a hook to make the viewer Want to watch the entire thing(the challenge), and forces the watcher to consider the point of the arguement by having them contend with the point of the argument. It's actually rather brilliant in my opinion.
@@blackjoker2345 it's a good point but I still think it's a cheap method that I've seen used by other people before, not denying it's effectiveness. When you look at the video as you said it was structured with this in mind; at the beginning it is relatively interesting and the further you go on the slower the pace gets, but you've already invested so much time in it you might as well carry on. At the same time I also have to question his motives however, was he thinking about viewer retention when he made this video? Possibly. Was he trying to make a point or was he trying to make a good video?
I'd argue that a "cheap" method isn't a bad thing. It was used without ill intent(as far as I can see), was used effectively, and functioned as intended. It's like saying writers should "Avoid Cliche's like the plague" all the while considering any commonly used narrative trope as a cliche'. It's being unnecessarily critical of something do to reputation rather than implementation in my opinion.
I, however, don't hold any illusion that I know what grey was thinking while making this piece and I'm no authority on this subject.
Thank you so much for this one, Grey. This may be your most important video to date. It's certainly the one that's given me the most to think about about, and led to me trying to make real changes in my life.
One of the best things I've done is not pay my phone bill. I've recently started uni again and I've spent most of my time walking around exploring. My sim has been disconnected so I have no internet access and it's... Nice. It's hard to explain but being disconnected, even if it's by force, is rather refreshing. I have time to plan my days, to work out what I wish to do. I advise anyone next time they have a menial chore, washing dishes, going shopping, or just going for a walk. Leave your SIM card at home and your earphones and just listen to the hustle and bustle around you. Keep it up Grey, love your work.
Is it wrong that I watched this at 1.5x speed?
Very
I did it without even noticing... It's just how I watch every video now
noob. 2x or nothing.
Lol, 2x and i did't even realise. Was going to comment that the moment of quiet at the end was a nice idea, but you reminded me that i only sat through half of it.
Michael Wade yes
litterally started looking at instagram during this video....i'm going to take a break
While I understand the issue at hand, and have noticed some shortening of attention compared to my childhood (access to the internet certainly does that, and I do occasionally, such as i nthis case, spend half an hour thinking and typing out a single comment), it is not nearly as drastic as you described.
I think this may be mostly because I am not a phoneperson. I have one, but only for direct communication with family and close friends. It is way too shitty for most apps (it can barely, while slowdowning and stuttering, open a text chat app or a pdf) and has a prepaid contract that would drain empty within minutes if I were to activate mobile data.
I don't listen to podcasts "in the background" when doing anything. I don't watch twitch streams for 18 hours a day "in the background". I rarely if ever put anything on "in the background", even music, because I like to put my full attention towards whatever I'm doing, regardless of whether it's important stuff or just hours upon hours of playing monster hunter or a paradox grand strategy title or something. The very idea of putting on some content I like just "to fall asleep to" horrifies me, what is the point of content if I insult it like that by not giving it my full attention? (A friend of mine does that to TV shows, he puts them on and then lays down in bed to sleep and only listens to it instead of watching and then after having heard 1/3rd of an episode he considers it an episode he has "watched", ugh)
I am very glad that I can still spend free time I have on my own thoughts, whether I am pooping, showering, falling asleep, walking to my destination, waiting at trainstations or doing household chores.
I don't feel the need for a distraction during any of those activities.
And I don't know why, it's not like I am disciplining myself, nor do I consider myself to have a strong willpower in general. Is it really just due to poverty and not having access to most of the blessings/curses of a modern smartphone?
Orillion123456 It probably is, yes.
Finally, I found another one who can't get this idea of content in the background. Well, except music... Not too loud instrumental music... Or some songs in foreign language which I can't understand completely or without trying to do so...
I'm a programmer for about 5 years and only a month ago I started to use second monitor. I finally admitted that looking to second monitor is sometimes faster than spamming Alt+Tab finding that window you need to look to. But I have a friend who is also a programmer and for him 2 monitors is requirement. But why? Because with 2 monitors he can use one for work and another for some youtube or TV series... WHAT?
Or even more mindblowing example - my brother. This little... ugh... He usually does this: playing some videogame, like overwatch/csgo/starcraft on a pc and simultaneously watching video on a phone laying right under keyboard. And hanging in a voice chat with some friends who are playing some different game and telling him what's happening on their screens. With no ***ing headphones! God, I'm so happy that I has moved out and living alone now.
I'm so angry on them. Especially when they saying something like "you didn't see this new awesome thing? Had no time? But why didn't you just put it in the background while working, weirdo?" But kinda jealous too! Because I see that they can do it without that almost physically painful feeling of trying to fully process all that information and give it enough attention and totally, inevitably failing in that.
Us monster hunter guys are trained to be focused on a hunt for at least 30 minutes average( G rank MHFU),.. I also dont buy internet package for my phone so I can read books and give myself time at train/bus station everyday..
Yeah, I've always considered myself a technophile. I love everything about computers: games, programming, youtube, forums, web fiction and a ton of other things. I like having a capable smartphone that allows me internet access. I spend most of my day with a screen in front of me.
But I don't have the problems mentioned in this video. Unless I'm in a particularly depressed mood, I hate the feeling of my attention being wasted. Every social media app that I've used gets deleted pretty quickly once I've hit the "that felt like it manipulated me into wasting my time" moment. It's not "I have to give this up because it's bad for me" but rather I just don't like the feeling and stop. RUclips is about the only exception, but that's because I come away feeling fulfilled as often as not and I tend to take breaks from it when I start "channel surfing" too much.
The other thing is that I get antsy unless I regularly stand up, pace, and spend time thinking. I don't really understand how people can function without spending time thinking away from distractions. My brain screams at me to do so. It can be as short as 5 minutes, but I have to take breaks and process whatever content I've been consuming.
> because I like to put my full attention towards whatever I'm doing, regardless of whether it's important stuff or just hours upon hours of playing monster hunter or a paradox grand strategy title or something
Hmm... I would describe it more as "tuning the level of attention you need for the task at hand". Also so there is distraction and distraction.
* Podcast in the background: Not particularly distracting. You just stop paying attention if you need to
* Replying to messages with friends: "Oh my god I hate this"
One observation I have had is a conversation *relevant to what I am doing* within hearing range is *massively* more distracting than any podcast and is something that can regularly happen in offices.
If I listen to a podcast I find that I instinctively take out my headphones when I need "full thought power".
> And I don't know why, it's not like I am disciplining myself, nor do I consider myself to have a strong willpower in general.
I suspect there might be some variation in levels of attention and focus. Perversely it might be that you are *less good at cutting out distraction* mentally and so need to it physically.
I loved this video, and could have easily watched it longer. Sad how people don't know how to be alone with their thoughts and just enjoy nature. There was so much going on in this video! All the different bird sounds, the interesting little waterways, marveling at the different look of all the vegitation ( very different than my dry S. West flora). I try to sit in my garden every day for an hour, without any artificial stimulation, and just enjoy nature and THINK. It's so refreshing!
I've been trying to live by this for years now. Its a constant struggle honestly. I absolutely love forcing myself away from social media, screens, podcasts, music. It has opened up my ability to think and come up with ideas tenfold.
Talks about break from podcasts and threads... links to podcast at the end of the video and gives us Reddit link in the comments....
Makes perfect sense.
I sincerely hope that screens everywhere are only a symptom of large chains, whether it be restaurants or gyms, and that the places I hold dear, like the local barbell club or my favorite gastropub (bad example because they have TVs for sports)… or sushi place does not get that screens disease you mention. We all need a place like that reserve you’re in, though it’s strange you used to talk about the glory of man’s conquering of nature.
Seeing all those screens made me physically uncomfortable.
It was fake right? Horrible, i'd rather believe it's not real.
If i ate there i'd have to ask for extra napkins to throw over it. The main reason i use ad-blockers is because i find it so hard to filter out distractions like that. Freaking "low latent inhibition" man.
Maybe those places were gambling establishments, and those screens were a way to keep track of your bets?
There is definitely a huge difference between the amount of screens in America and here in the Netherlands (and other Euro countries I've been to). I seriously don't worry about screens popping up here because I feel like it would have already happened in places like sports bars.
By this I mean that some places have attitudes that don't go well with screens and I think the places you listed are safe from such developments.
Grey, read "Amusing Ourselves to Death." If nothing else, read the chapter entitled "The Peek-a-Boo World."
Wow I just checked the goodreads on this (ironic), but thatnk you so much for a great book suggestion.
Thank you. This must be the most profound video I have watched in years.
And yes, I will join you. It's a little scary to me, that I have had that thought in the back of my mind, and yet I needed someone to tell me, I needed the internet, you to tell me that this thought is important. It has been way too long since I last took a walk alone.
Thank you.
I'm with you on this. I pulled back from alot of internet content a while back when I realized how important solitude was to my mental health. I stick with channels like yours because of the space between your videos. But mainly because what you do post invokes deep thoughts I can ponder on during my periods of isolation.