This is The Most Overrated Pleasure

No, it’s not the cell phone specifically.

The most overrated pleasure is the notification (in all forms).

You see how it happened, don’t you?

First:

• The notification told us about human interaction:

• Ring! — “Oh, someone is calling. That’s probably important.”

• Ding Dong! — “Look, another human being at my door!”

• Bing! — “An email from my best friend Sally!”

The early notification said:

“You are significant. I love you.”

Then:

• The notification is hijacked but our behavior does not change

• Bing! — “Ooh, there’s a sale on jeans!”

• Bing! — “Let me just get this message.”

• Bing! — “Well, I was going to sleep but just got a text from my boss.”

The new notification says:

“You are significant. Now pay attention to me.”

Now:

• The notification is in our pockets 24/7

• Bing! — “Sorry Mom, there’s a comment on my YouTube video.”

• Bing! — “Lol Twitter.”

• Bing! — “Hold on, it looks like a politician/celebrity did/said something stupid/hilarious.”

The modern notification says:

“You are significant, but only in this reality. Come backto me.”

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The notification phenomena is so common we don’t even consider it a pleasure, just a part of life. We trade away flow in our work and conversations for a string of tiny dopamine hits.

I don’t talk about notifications because I am above them. I talk about notifications because I was a slave once. The little red circles demanded my attention and I submitted. I substituted real emotion for a cheap high. I surrendered self-love for a few pixels forming a number.

When they made a big one, I was happy.

When I didn’t, I was sad.

You are probably stronger than me. You can probably handle it.

At least, I hope you can.