"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
The flight from Mumbai arrived at dawn. Our first stop was Port Louis, the capital. Mauritius serves as offshore headquarters for Maple Bear East Africa. In a nondescript office building, in a conference room inexplicably painted pink, we held a board meeting. Where the hell had we landed? Mauritius discombobulates. A population of French-speaking South…
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Wouldn’t it be perfect if human bodies had a factory reset switch? Turn it and marvel as unwanted pounds, products of our perennial season of over-indulgence, disappear. Hit it again and digital addiction never existed. I discovered a reasonable facsimile of that switch exists in all of us. Here’s what happened. While fighting cabina fever during Costa…
Read MoreI started out my day thinking about decluttering. It’s that time of year, after all. A fresh batch of holiday presents is soon to be unwrapped, requiring lots of out-with-the-old-and-in-with-the-new activity in most households. In the past, I’ve chalked up an excellent record for culling, especially my clothes closet. Years ago, I tossed all of my dresses…
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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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