From ac857fcf112292a35d2818eecbe9578b99b6fabf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tasia Iso Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2024 10:11:09 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] pushpull draft 1 --- docs/posts/pushpull.md | 79 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 79 insertions(+) create mode 100644 docs/posts/pushpull.md diff --git a/docs/posts/pushpull.md b/docs/posts/pushpull.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c756e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/posts/pushpull.md @@ -0,0 +1,79 @@ +--- +date: 2024-06-05 +unlisted: true +--- + +# Notifications: from Push to Pull + +After reading [Amolith's post on notifications](TODO), I thought I'd reflect on my personal experience turning off my phone's notifications. + +## Why push notifications are bad + +They are distracting, and divert you from what you should really be doing. +I'm pretty sure that anybody with ADHD can relate to getting distracted by an email or a notification and spending time watching a video instead of doing the dishes. +What time is it again ? Oh right, 45 minutes just passed by. Welp. + +Even for people without ADHD, the human brain is notoriously bad at switching tasks efficiently. +It's a lot more efficient to allocate working time to the beginning of the day, only to wind down and watch videos on the evening. + +> (do as I say, not as I do) + +## What are notifiations anyway ? + +There are, generally, 2 types of notifications: push notifications and pull notifications. + +### Push notifications + +When you think of notifications, this is most likely the first thing that comes to your mind. + +They are notifications that shows up on your phone when a new Youtube video is posted, when a post is popular on Reddit or when a friend sends you a message. + + + +> Here I'm not trying to indiscriminately bash on push notifications. There are legitimate uses for them, but most of them aren't actually that important or useful. + +### Pull notifications + +This type of notifications are more intentional. You, the user, have to manually open the application and get updates from the server. + + +## Switching off + +For me, because I bought a Google Pixel 7 and switched to GrapheneOS in December of 2023, I prtty much didn't have a choice; this Android distribution comes without the `Google Services Framework` by default, which is a necessary component for receiving push notifications. + +Nontheless, before I bought this new phone, I clearly realized that notifications were bad for my focus: there's always somehing interesting to watch on Youtube or Reddit, the chores can wait just a bit longer... + +If you (understandably) don't want to buy a new phone to get rid of notifications, you can still mute specific apps' notifications. + +## The sound of silence + +I quickly noticed that the lack of distractions did have an impact on my focus; my phone doesn't randomly go off in my pocket, or when I'm developing or writing. + + + + +Instead of hearing about new Youtube videos as they go online, I instead take 5 minutes each day to open NewPipe, pull down updates from the Youtube and Peertube channels I subscribe to, download the videos to watch the videos when I'm able to. +For my podcasts and RSS feeds, I use AntennaPod to get new episodes each day or so, and like with NewPipe, I download them for later consumption. +I take some time every few days to read everything on the Fediverse, Secure Scuttlebutt and my emails. + +I don't get sucked into a conversation with someone online anymore. I spend time on entertainment when I want to. +Of course, that won't subtitute for good discipline when it comes to when to open said entertainment apps. + +> (do as I say, ...) + + + + +That even got to a point where I couldn't handle my mom's phone that's absolutely filled with notifications-as-a-disservice and that goes off every 30 seconds on average. + + + +## Another h2 to make readers wait for the conclusion (that they can figure out themselves anyway), aka conclusion + + + +Here's your homework: + +- Turn off the notifications for all of your games and social medias for a month or two! You can always turn them back on as needed. +- Write about it on your journal (If you don't have one yet, [make one already!]()). Write about it each 3 to 7 days. +- Contact me one you're done and talk to me about your experience, or send me your journal. I might put your feedback on this page for others to read.