The Scroll That Never Ends
You sat down for a minute—just one minute—to check something. A quick glance. Harmless. But now it’s been 47 minutes, and you’ve somehow learned everything about a penguin’s daily routine, seen six meal-prep hacks you’ll never use, and are emotionally invested in a stranger’s home renovation journey. Congratulations, you’ve been caught in the infinite scroll—social media’s black hole, designed with the precision of a Vegas casino and the urgency of a toddler demanding snacks.
Why We Can’t Stop
Your brain loves novelty. It craves it. Every time you swipe down, you might find something hilarious, shocking, heartwarming, or just weird enough to make you say, “Huh.” It’s like a slot machine, but instead of coins, you’re winning tiny dopamine hits. And the house? The house always wins.
The problem is, there’s no “The End.” No final page. No credits rolling. Just more. More updates, more memes, more “One More Video Before Bed” that turns into “Why Is the Sun Up?”
Tech companies don’t want you to stop. They’re not here to help you “stay connected.” They’re here to keep you glued. Ever notice how the next video plays automatically? Or how the page refreshes on its own? That’s not an accident. That’s engineering.
How to Break Free (Or at Least Escape Occasionally)
The trick isn’t willpower. Willpower is cute but unreliable, like a diet on vacation. Instead, you need tactics.
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Set a ridiculous alarm—Something loud, obnoxious, and slightly terrifying. Name it “GET OFF YOUR PHONE” so you feel personally attacked.
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Turn your screen grayscale—Turns out, a dull, colorless Instagram is about as exciting as reading the back of a cereal box.
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Hide the temptation—Move the social apps to a folder called “Do You Really Need This?” or, better yet, delete them.
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Declare scrolling bankruptcy—Close everything. Start fresh. Whatever you missed wasn’t that important.
Or, you know, just keep scrolling. The algorithm loves that.
