I'm tired of being on the network
Smartphones and mandatory app ecosystems have turned constant connectivity from a sci-fi dream into an inescapable tax of modern life.
read it The piece offers a sharply observed, darkly funny critique of digital fatigue that resonates if you share the exhaustion.
summary
Mat Duggan reflects on how his youthful enthusiasm for smartphones has curdled into resentment as connectivity became mandatory for basic civic life. He describes an inescapable landscape of apps, invasive ads, and low-quality media loops that constantly demand attention. To escape this digital tax, he rediscovers offline hobbies through a retro-gaming console that operates without updates, accounts, or dark patterns.
key points
- Mandatory smartphone dependency has shifted from a voluntary luxury to a compulsory requirement for transit, travel, and government services.
- Modern operating systems and apps have degraded into notification-heavy ad platforms designed to maximize engagement rather than serve the user.
- Physical, dedicated offline tech like FPGA retro consoles offers a rare antidote by operating without onboarding flows or continuous internet connectivity.
who should read it
Technologists and heavy internet users experiencing burnout from constant connectivity and digital clutter.
discussion mixed
consensus
Commenters widely relate to the emotional exhaustion of modern digital life, but many point out that the author's examples are flawed because services like AliExpress or TikTok are entirely voluntary.
pushback
A minority argues that the internet remains as rewarding as ever if users actively curate their environments, strip away notifications, and reject proprietary apps.
The emotions are relatable, but the examples are strange and don't back up his argument. It is true that there are many situations in modern life where a smartphone has become effectively mandatory.
But Ali Express is not one of those. It's very feasible to delete the app, or at least turn off the notifications. The quality of TV writing may have taken a nosedive but nobody is forcing you to watch TikTok Empire. If you long for the golden age of television, you can find disc versions of The Wire, Mad Men, The Sopranos etc. Often they're free to borrow at your local library. The App Store is …
It articulates the common thread critique that the author confuses systemic civic requirements with completely avoidable lifestyle choices.
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