💯 TREE 371: How do you think about your phone?

One.

The dominant story is we pick up our phones 275,000 times a day and this is bad because we’re addicted to screen-based dopamine hits so we never interact with real humans so we’re lonely so we become suspicious and divided which will lead to the downfall of civilisation. The conclusion is we are doomed because Steve Jobs invented phones.

But…

does anyone worry about a writer picking up a pen and notebook?
Or an artist picking up a paintbrush?
Or a photographer picking up a camera?
Or student picking up a textbook?
Or a driver consulting a map?
Or a CEO picking up their PA?

No, except for the last one because that’s harassment.

If you accept the dominant narrative that your phone is a social media machine and a time-thief, that’s how you’ll use it.

But if you think of your phone as a tool
for creativity
for education
for getting things done
that’s how you’ll set it up,
that’s how you’ll use it.

My phone is where I capture ideas (camera, 1Writer), scan my drawings (Genius Scan) and colour them (Procreate Pocket). I use it to record voiceovers (Voice Memos) and video for work. It enables me to carry around the largest library that has ever existed. It’s where I do most of my reading.

My phone is the most versatile, useful tool I’ve ever owned. That’s how I think about it. That’s how I (mostly) use it.

Two.

A thing that causes me stress is when in TV shows and movies people driving cars turn and talk to the passenger for a Very Long Time. I can’t think about what they’re saying because my brain is shouting, WATCH THE ROAD!

Same with this dragon. How long has she been looking backwards? Is she about to crash into a cliff? We don’t know and it’s stressful!

Three.

I’m giving you a whole concert today. Little Simz did a set for the BBC 6Music Festival. Obviously it was excellent, even though she had to change all the swears to radio-friendly words. On the plus side, you can play this with your small children around. They will love it.

I’m always excited about useful, creative apps. What is your favourite phone tool?

Grow slowly
Jeff