"Digital minimalism is a philosophy that helps you question what digital communication tools (and behaviors surrounding these tools) add the most value to your life. It is motivated by the belief that intentionally and aggressively clearing away low-value digital noise, and optimizing your use of the tools that really matter, can significantly improve your life."
– Cal Newport
Good morning, Vietnam! The dinky plane bounces off the runway. At the Dalat Palace, in the former French colonial hill station, Catherine Deneuve in Indochine haunts us over high tea. Next, an exciting but terrifying bus ride to the coast to Nha Trang. To relax, we rent bathing gear and soak in a barrel of mud. Small…
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Who stole my focus? Looking for answers, I recently read “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again”. Author Johann Hari basically tells me to blame the tech companies for hijacking my attention. They’re the bad guys, he argues. Their business models are intentionally designed to capture my eyeballs. Worse, they…
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New locations for Maple Bear were scouted. And, research of Nairobi preschool market conducted, albeit using harmless subterfuge. Raj played our son-in-law while our other partner wondered aloud: Who am I supposed to be? “Uncle Saurabh”, we told him. After passing by the Westgate Mall, I foolishly downloaded Terror at the Mall. Horrific nightmares ensued. Surreal dinner on…
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Just go with the flow. That’s not bad advice right about now. It could even help someone get out of bed in the morning. In the category of words that drive me nuts though, with or without an unravelling world, they can be crazy-making. So is this: Calm down, Robin. Both expressions have been aimed…
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Oh, the irony. My road to digital minimalism began with an app. On my phone no less. In December 2021, I was introduced to the popular meditation app, 10% Happier now Happier. I listened to the podcast of the same name created by Dan Harris. He’s an American television journalist, creator of the app, and now, my…
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The subtitle of this book encapsulates my own message about digital minimalism in general and news consumption in particular: A Manifesto for a Happier, Calmer and Wiser Life. Its Swiss author, Rolf Dobelli, first published his manifesto in 2019 but his message could not be more timely. With the most recent US Presidential election and all the other…
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