Press “Mute”

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I think one of the best technological innovations has been the “mute” button — the technology to disable sound and distractions.

The best technologies

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Other technologies I’ve been grateful for:

  • Noise-cancelling headphones to mute ambient noise (when on loud planes)
  • Browser plugins to mute the Facebook news feed
  • Social media platforms that mute likes, comments, and follower counts (I’m a huge fan of the mobile VSCO photo-sharing platform)
  • The “freedom” app to “mute” my access to the internet (in order to focus)

What else can you “mute” or “disable”?

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I think when it comes to technology, we are always thinking of how technology can “add” benefits to our life, by “upgrading”, and “installing” new things.

I encourage the opposite— figure out what you can mute, turn off, or disable in your life (in terms of technology, and your personal life).

For example,

  • Mute negative people in your life
  • Disable/uninstall distracting apps on your phone
  • Mute social media/email notifications
  • Mute the sound on your phone (silent mode or airplane mode)
  • Mute negative thoughts, negative energy, and negative influences
  • Mute the media, and other sensationalist sources of information and “news”

Avoid the sirens

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Odysseus figured out how to “mute” distractions (and potential death) in “The Odyssey”, when he filled his ears with wax and tying himself to the mast (before sailing by the sirens).

How can we mute things in our life, and put wax in our digital ears, and prevent ourselves from dying?

Avoid the sirens,
Eric

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