Harvard Professor Arthur Brooks on How Phone Addiction Blocks Flow State

In a Big Think video, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School professor Arthur C. Brooks explains that turning off color on smartphones can reduce screen dependency. He suggests that grayscale mode makes users care less about their screens, thus reducing usage. Brooks also discusses the broader issue of phone addiction, noting that unlike heroin addiction, it is universal and often unnoticed. He recommends turning off notifications, setting defined 'tech times,' exercising without devices, and attending multi-day meditation retreats to combat this addiction. Brooks connects digital distractions to the concept of 'flow,' a term coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, describing an immersive state where time passes unnoticed and is intensely pleasurable. He argues that multitasking and constant digital engagement prevent flow, driven by a fear of boredom, which is necessary for meaningful accomplishments. The video is part of Big Think's content and was published on Open Culture, with related articles on flow state and boredom. The piece is authored by Colin Marshall, based in Seoul, who writes on cities, language, and culture.