Incessant Clicking and Scrolling

Not too long ago, I copied down these words by author and associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University, Cal Newport:

Incessant clicking and scrolling generates a background hum of anxiety. Drastically reducing the number of things you do in your digital life can by itself have a significant calming impact.

Taken from a blog post exploring the idea of digital minimalism, the phrase “incessant clicking and scrolling” struck a nerve with me for just how accurate it was. We are incessantly clicking and scrolling our way through life, and it’s true that the background hum rarely, if ever, stops.

Newport has some thoughts on how to silence this noise, and I highly recommend his blog for practical recommendations on how to do so. Until then I challenge you to look out for this hum and not give in when you hear it. Just sit with it for as long as you can.

This is easier said than done, but we’ll be rewarded for our patience over time. ∎