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Reading Digital Minimalism Again

I decided to reread Digital Minimalism because it is an easy read and something that I can finish within a few days. When I first read Digital Minimalism, I was primarily focused on how to stop wasting time on the web browsers as I have a strange temptation to search up anything on Google. After reading it for the second time, this habit happens a lot less often. Therefore, I focused more on his other ideas that I wanted to apply. To do so, I annotated the book in a detailed manner, which I did not do when I first read the book. If given the choice, I rarely annotate. However, I decided to annotate this book because I felt that I would benefit more instead of only reading the book. Annotating was beneficial as I paid more attention to some of Newport's arguments that I had previously skimmed over. What I got most out of the book this time is the fact that connection does not equal conversation.
I was convinced that I should probably stop using text messaging as my primary way to communicate with my friends that live far away. Newport is not saying that people should completely stop talking with their distant friends. Instead, he suggests using types of communication that resembles actual conversations: calling, video calling, meeting in person, etc. These would be used to communicate with your good friends, family members, acquaintances, etc. Newport does not dismiss connection type of communication as it is useful for communicating simple and logistical information. For instance, text messaging would be used to tell someone when the person is going to arrive. 
He uses other sources that suggest how texting and social media has limited true conversation. I don't find this surprising at all. These forms of communication are ways to connect with others, but that doesn't mean connection equals conversation. Texting doesn't allow people to recognize facial cues nor react on the spot. Emojis don't substitute people's emotions when they are texting. Prior to reading the book again, I was not primarily concerned with texting as maintaining contact. Reading text messages are no where like listening to the person's actual voice. Looking back, texting for 5 years has made me feel uncomfortable with talking with my friends. Texting has made me not really talk at all. I can technically type my pre-texts on another document and then copy paste it onto the website. Those types of behaviors are not how I would be talking in real life. When Newport mentioned the word phone-phobia, I completely related to that word. I feel embarrassed about having phone-phobia. What is so scary about talking to your friend word-to-word?
Next time, I have learned that I might be better off setting FaceTime sessions with my distant friends during the school breaks so I can have a true conversation. Although it is convenient and nice to catch up with my friends using messaging, doing this has really prevented me from communicating in the natural way.

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