This makes me wonder whether a piece of installable software that 'suppresses appetite' for computer/phone use might someday become widespread. If so, it would probably impact internet companies in a similar manner to how ozempic may be impacting some large food manufacturers. It could even use the same mechanism of spreading in the us as ozempic, being sold by a company and prescribed by doctors.
> This makes me wonder whether a piece of installable software that 'suppresses appetite' for computer/phone use might someday become widespread.
Yeah -- I think if we can get a better grasp on how the reward systems of the brain work/how this could be a huge thing.
Actually if I think about it, the means might already be out there -- we're just not serious enough about the problem as a society yet. Regulation at the top level will probably come first at this point before a novel (likely expensive) treatment from a startup.
That aside, with how human nature is, I wonder if we'll see the pendulum swing back into society valuing (and thus assigning status) to people who are free of that addiction.
I think it'd be bad for internet companies that are heavily tilted towards addictive online activity -- the ones delivering value will probably be mostly fine, because they have at least some "tool" component.
For example Netflix -- as much as it can be an addiction/coping mechanism, it is legitimately a tool for enjoyment in healthy adults (essentially replacing/competing with going out to a movie theater by yourself or with others).
