A lot of you guys were hearing but weren't really listening. I see in a lot of the comments people are saying that this video is being watched in phones. Okay so ? He didn't say don't ever use your phone. What he's really saying is pay attention to the things that really matter in life. Don't be so focused on your phone that you lose track of your surroundings. A phone is good to have but too much of something is bad.

I'm actually glad I'm a 90s baby because I know how it was before we all used social media. I just had toys and played outside on my bike and scooter. The first time I used social media was when I was 15 years old on Myspace. Let me tell you, I was much more happier, more carefree, and more confident before I even made a myspace account. We all had to take turns to use the desktop and we could only use it 1 hour max. I didn't even have a smartphone until I was 22 years old and I'm 27 now. I recently deactivated my facebook and instagram account and deleted both apps from my phone. I wanna experience real life things again.

People don't know how to have real fun anymore. I think everyone should buy a bicycle, and instead of sitting on their phones in the evening when they're free, they should go on a bike ride with a friend, and have a great conversation. I think social media fills the human need to socialize, which makes them not want to actually socialize because their brain feels no need to.

My parents did this to me in the 90s. Instead of looking at phones, they were looking at the TV. I could talk for hours and no one would even notice I was there; or I could sit in my room for hours and no one would even wonder whether I was alright or not..... If you want to be distracted you will always find a way, and if you want to be there you will also find a way. It’s not technology, it’s the people!

Yesterday I went on a walk with my sister to a stable. Before we left I suggested to not bring her phone so we can be in the moment, but she wanted to bring it to get a photo with her horse. On the way we talked about the impact of phones, similar to what Patrik said. Yet, at the stable, she was on her phone essentially living through the lens, posing for photos with her horse, taking 20 photos of the same thing, etc. It was so ironic. We were there for barely ten minutes before she suggested we leave. On the way back, I peed in the bushes. The moment I left her side, she was on her phone. Phones are creating an environment of people seeking constant strong stimuli, and it really isn't healthy. Sitting by a tree and looking over a field _without_ a phone by your side sounds crazy nowadays, but we don't realize just how healthy it is to take time to slow down during the day.

The fact that this video was posted 7 years ago! It's just getting more and more difficult to not be a smartphone addict.

digital world made life easier but shittier at the same time.

"The distraction has become the norm, rather than the exception" - Patrik Winsent

I resisted for the longest time getting a smartphone for this exact reason. Finally I caved in and got one. I feel more isolated than I did before I got one. I can't even go out on a date with anyone without them always looking at their phone. I say to them, "Are you talking to me or are you talking to your phone?" They just look at me with this glazed look in their eyes like they were in some kind of hypnotic trance. Finally I just gave up. I don't take my phone with me anymore. It feels like a leash when it's with me. When I do take it with me, I turn it off when I am having a conversation. I feel much. Better. I'm going to switch back to a flip phone.

Good presentation. I deactivated my social media accounts one month ago primarily because I want to be more mindful and less distracted. So far I feel more relaxed and focused. I still love my tech but I'm using it less.

Great message. Very important for our kids. "There is no apps. to replace our laps." Nice quote.

technology should be added into our lives not to replace it 👍

This needs to be talked about more It makes me so sad to see a world where people are so disconnected from each other, it hurts to see someone you care about value their devices more than the people that actually love them

The Internet has become the digital version of The Allegory of the Cave

The hate in the comments section alone proves that we're already living in a zombie era!

More people need to see this.

Thank you so much for this speech, sir. Being a teenager, this speech really changed my thoughts on the use of technology and has changed my perspective on how I want to be a positive role model for my future children. More people need to see this.

I don't have Twitter, Whatsapp, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram... and people call I am crazy because I am not social in Internet. We actually used to talk this yesterday with my neighbour in sauna that he is not even in one social service just because he has a life. Not to hear it from Facebook, but in real life, what happens with friends. Like I said I am having Facebook and Google+. Google+ because of account with Google and I also content with having KZfaq, Blogger etc. with that. But I don't use Google+ very often. Facebook is only for following music, not really having time to follow Kim Kardashians or movie stars. And let me say even Facebook, is useless, for me. If you have any friends, they will remember you just fine after you go away from social media. We think that we need to be social online. I sit in a bus to Lidl, everyone is on their phones, busy watching something and liking content. I don't have Facebook on my phone, because I found it to be a reason to be on phone. Instead watching from the window and listening music. Once I was not on phone, not on music. waiting bus back to home - old men came to talk to me and we were going to the same bus. We continued to talk there and I learned much about him and he about me. Is way better than talking drama in Facebook comments about news the companies share. But like I said, people think I am crazy when they ask about my Twitter. Because I don't have one and actually had one - but found it to waste my time and it was kinda like useless. I barely logged in the time I had it. Because why to log in, when you just can go without. I am not living for followers, friends, likes, or Wow emotions. I am more than that. Please stay away from social media!!!

I saw a girl cheat death twice while crossing the road while looking down at her phone. She almost caused a crash and before she reached the other side a bus came from the opposite direction and just missed her. People were standing looking in total disbelief as she was oblivious to what happened.

Very powerful. Thank you for being vulnerable enough to share your story about being a mobile zombie and missing the opportunity to watch your son win the tournament. Your authenticty and visuals made your speech believable. I personally have already taken action to spend more time offline and spend more time living life.

ditched my smart phone 3 years ago. best thing I ever done

My major pet peeve in the digital zombie age is the fact that people indeed seem to be focused on their phones & computers when they should indeed be focusing their attention otherwise. People texting and browsing facebook whilst driving a car is the sad reality that for some the draw of the digital world is too great The latest shortcut into digital zombie-hood is to wear a digital smart watch - the new ball and chain of this day and age.

Thank you Patrik. This was a very helpful video; I am going to download your audiobook "The Digital Drug: Reboot and reload your day". A few years ago I won an iPad and realized it was a Trojan horse. The hours spent starting at that screen endlessly clicking on videos or scrolling Facebook would be impossible to calculate. It has cost so much in terms of relationships and stunting my personal development in terms of pursuing and achieving goals in life. The problem of digital addiction is just beginning. Virtual and augmented reality will soon magnify our dependence on escaping through the internet beyond what we ever expected.

Outside of home my phone doesn't exist unless I am making contact for my ride. But in my house, I am in a digital coffin. All day laying down staring at some large plastic board. This is not right.

Why so negative? -Just see this talk as a reminder. A reminder to contemplate about your beahviour with technology and people.. Then just adjust your beahviour or not. That´s it. No need to be harsh bcs you don´t like his way of talking or whatever.. Maybe some of you are too much in hurry and afraid of losing time while watching talks like this? haha Calm down and be peaceful. -Stressed zombies. :)

People in these comment sections are only negative because they are scared of this idea.

so grateful I was born in the 80s and had my entire child hood and adolescence pretty much internet and technology free, I learnt real social skills, didn't even get a smart phone until 2018 and only use it very sparingly, at first I was addicted and definitely feel worse and lonelier since getting it, lockdown was particularly tough. When you phone some people now they act like you're insane, I've even been told 'nobody does that anymore' by people who don't want to talk on the phone, also anyone under 30 doesn't even answer the phone.

Man this is a wake up call for me as a parent. Well done. Thank you.

Great point. This is exactly why I resisted having a smart phone for the longest.

Misusing convenience is self destructive. Technology is also convenient. Repetition is habit forming.

I love my smartphone but I don't feel the need to constantly check it. It's easier when you uninstall useless apps such as facebook, and keep notifications to minimum.

Wow! This gave me pause. I’m a mother to a 5yo and I must admit I’ve used the iPad/iPhone as a babysitter :( I no longer want to do that. This has been a wake-up call. Thank you very much. And I want to make a conscious effort to separate myself from my phone more of the time, for health (physical, mental, emotional) but also so I can actually get more things done!

I've been saying this for a while now, and ppl look at me like I'm the zombie!

Today in the world of Pokémon Go, this talk seems even more relevant.

As one of the possibly only humans in the tech-obsessed city of Seattle that does not have, nor ever plans to have, an "idiotphone," I have been an observer of the multitude of cyborgs/digital zombies that surround me and am appalled at the effects on the human populace. It's amazing to speculate that their inability to communicate face-to-face may have something to do with coming up with a response on the fly versus planning out the perfect text message.

This needs to be heard by so many more people!

Important time is lost.. it's so sad

This was a great TED TALK :) He is so right ! MODERATION is key

This guy knows what he's talking about. People need to listen and absorb what he's saying.

This presentation was awesome!!! Im pulling away from social platforms unless it’s for business I just find it hard to get across the importance to loved ones and in relationships because people are seriously addicted

Totally agree. I deleted my Instagram account a month ago, and I've never ever been happier! The only one left is Voicely, but it makes me feel better and helps with anxiety a lot.

Mannnnn this is real! Thanks for the message I'm going to start being more present , and not allow this technology overwhelmed me!! Thank u thank u!!!

I grew up in the 80's without the nuisance of social media. It was such a different time,even with Nintendo, phone and TV. Now technology is all consuming!

I think those who are little kids now will have problems with connecting to others. I think their parents just give them a game, they don't interact with their kids as much. Idk, just speculating but it's sad.

I liked the video. It made me think about managing technology so that I can spend more personal time with my family. I don't know what yall are complaining about, but I think that was his intent of this TEDx Talk. And isn't the point of being subbed to this channel to grow in perspectives, knowledge, and understanding anyway?

I'm scared about how all this is going to turn out

After reading some comments on this Talk, "What's WRONG with people today?" The only negative about it is that this is the kind of Talk that isn't meant to be Preventive or Stop the social problem he's addressing. It just points out the obvious and requires one to make a decision based on what they value in life. I for one immensely enjoyed this Talk.

Moving talk, but really I think we (collectively ), over time, will adapt technology to be less distracting, to keep us from getting disconnected from each other. Ultimately, I think we all really just need to learn self control and develop willpower. I feel like technology is just a scapegoat we use for lack of impulse control.

I am more than tired of incompetent parenting.. too many selfish parents whose purpose to have children is to meet their own ends. If you do not desire to give your 110% to your child, if you need to plug your child to some electronic babysitter in order not to take care of it, then please dont procreate.

All the negativity on this thread just seems to prove the truth of this TED talk. We're so connected and life has become so fast paced, that our fuses have become short and we snap at each other without a second of hesitation. I've done it myself so I'm not judging anyone else for doing it, just some food for thought...

I loved to play gamecube with my cousins 10 years ago, you can totally have human interactions within technology

Lately, I have been experimenting with ways that I can keep technological use under control. I only use my laptop to take my online classes, and I have that under control. I'm still trying to get a grip on my phone as well. I have gotten rid of useless apps, clearing out my history on my google account. I find that it's easy for me to eat at the table without my phone there. The rest of my family, my sister, and my parents are still hooked on to their phones. We don't eat at the table at dinner time anymore. The only time we are together as a family is if there is a TV in front of us. I don't watch TV while I eat. I pay attention to what I eat and take my time with my food. I also find that I love reading and I read a lot. I reflect on the ways that I unplug regularly. It's sad that technology has taken us away from what's important in life.

Moderation and Balance are the KEY!

A real life lesson here 😢

Great content. it was always easy for me to stop looking at my phone once outside. I am craving more real connections than virtual ones. But, once at home, I am glued to internet and can't do anything. Of course the price for this was tremendous. Laziness, zero productivity, very poor concentration, very bad way of managing my time, brain fog and so on. The key to this is to do a digital detox in my opinion. I have been on a digital detox for the last 17 days where I limit my internet usage to 1 hour daily ( work related hours don't count). I see already a small transformation in my drive and in the way I feel time.

MAKE. THIS. VIDEO. GO. VIRAL. THE. WORLD. NEEDS. THIS.

i was born in 2004. i remember when i was a kid, electronics were just an extension to my life and they weren’t my whole life. i used to play outside a lot and ride my scooter around at the backyard. i got my first phone in 2018 and as soon as i got it, i was hooked onto it. i kept using my phone even if i wasn’t supposed to and i felt like i couldn’t live without it. this has led me to miss out on some things that could have made big memories and it was all because i was constantly entertained by my phone. i was also a social media addict, and i seeked for validation on instagram. this was not good for my mental health. i always felt happy whenever i got enough likes and comments, and i felt like i was super important whenever i was tagged in a post or received a dm. now, that’s not the case. i still have my phone with me but now i don’t use it as much and i found ways to be more productive and happy instead of wasting my time

This guy is so damn likable , so authentic

Great speech. That story about his son almost made me cry

Thank you , thank you, thank you! It’s the most important message we must send to the world. The digital diet day must appear in calendar every month.

the first part broke my heart when he said he had one eye on the phone and the other one on his son 💔... we can do better. bue we must change

I just feel like life is going to pass me by and I'm going to waste it watching KZfaq videos, shopping on amazon, and checking my Facebook. :(

Wow. Thank you. I needed to see this.

Great talk, thank you for your incredibly brave honesty.

I think the speaker has given very useful information on how much we value given to social media... Thank you for opening my eyes... 🙏🙏🙏

Super Message I felt for you 200% because that problem has me very disappointed in society . I was very hurt and dicusted to see texting going on in church I was outraged by this and stopped attending . Hope a viable solution can be done I wouldn`t have to give my phone to the next person because during seminars , movies because I leave it in my car . Thankyou

I love your message! Thank you!

AMAZING.........ANOTHER SIDE OF REALITY....A BETTER SIDE...

One of the best ted talks I’ve watched in a while.

eye opener for sure

Deleting all social media

Thank you. Big time speech, loved it.

I'll tell you what you're saving by being a digital zombie. Money. Everybody says go out and do stuff etc but for some reason never account that doing "stuff" is not monetarily approachable by a lot of people.

Awesome talk. Thank you so much!

I really think you need to have a flat stomach to deliver TEDx Talks. I love watching the TEDx deliveries, and hearing the points of view too!

Really needed to hear this

thank you Patrik Wincent for this marvelous talk, and your son is lucky to have such a "wake up" dad as you said

Excellent talk! So true! Helpful.

I think that he has opened the eyes to many parents

Best speech on digital addiction I have ever seen

what a beautiful idea..thank you

Very good discussion. Thank you sir for bring out many key points for us to focus on as human beings.

You can do technology but have a conscience not to destroy your family.

Remembering to spend more time playing with my daughter . Thank you

Phenomenal speech

This man is spot-on with everything he presented here.

Beautiful message and i learnt something new today thankyou so much patrik wincent :)

wonderful video thanks for sharing!!

This video hits close to home for me.

Thanks you for a great speak

One of the best speeches!

very cool and clear presentation with critical topics, 10Q!

All I can say to this is it all comes down to personal responsibility. A lot of people lack this in their lives though unfortunately.

All good points

One of the Best advices I ever got, I will not be addicted anymore

If only the zombies in my household would watch & listern to this but they are in total denial & refuse to. Very said!!!

Thank you !

Thank you Sir.

Bravo! The net is a tool, not life. When I was a child, my parents sent us out in the morning, not to come home till evening. I am in the zone...zen.

Thank you.