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THE LEN LESSER REPORT  

THE LEN LESSER REPORT

 

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BRAIN HACKING IS REAL

Please put down your phone. I am trying to talk to you. Why can’t we stop looking at our cell phones in Dorchester? How many of you would admit that you are addicted to your mobile device? The apps on our smart phones make sure that you are glued to your phone. The likes of "Apple" are very good at wanting to grab your attention to zero into your fear, anxiety, sense of loneliness wanting to keep you constantly glued to your phone.

The computer programers write code to keep you coming back and triggering your brain to always to want some more. Do you feel that you have to constantly check your phone text messaging? Too many of us want to find the elusive means to a false sense of order and ultimate happiness in our lives in our Smart Phones.

The cell phone providers: Bell/ Tellus and Roger are smart and we the users are no more then addicts to a computer device that keeps us wanting us coming back for the insatiable need for more of the same.

For many of you the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning and the last task before you try and go to sleep in the wee hours of the night is to quickly check your phone for messages and text back your replies.

You are not alone: Stats Canada 2016 numbers are scarrrry, "30 billion subscribers or 86% of the 35 million Canadians rely on their mobile devices" On average the typical cell phone user checks their phone up to 150 times a day to see if they have messages.

You do not have to pay a cent to access ‘Face Book" that has 130 billion users. The advertisers, such as Coke, Labatt’s, Mac Donald’s pay the tab in the knowledge that there is a good chance that they will have your undivided attention in the hopes that you will buy their products.

For the most part many teenagers are nervous and unsure of themselves. With the advent of the cell phone we have added on to their fears and the need for constant approval and recognition.

Trying to give up the cell phone for the majority of users can be sure hard. We used to speak of "users" as those who were addicted to drugs like Cocain to try and satisfy their daily needs but now there is a new addiction in the misuse of our mobile devices.

Okay, I have to admit that my wife, Ella has a flip cell phone that gives us 400 minutes of voice/text time that costs us $100.00 per year for us to use in an emergency.

All of us ,including our young people. have to be taught just to veg out and do nothing and yes enjoy the day. Do not look down at your phone to catch a glimpse at the text and instead focus on that which is most important in your life: your health, happiness friends and family.

Recently I counseled an eighteen year old young women who admitted that she was a "little bit addicted to her cell phone"; she showered/slept with and carried it in her bra afraid that she would be not on line 24 hours a day.

Now you know the who and why you are being hustled ( addicted) to use your cell phones. Sadly it is all about your money and you should learn the phrase: caveat emptor, let the buyer be ware before you sign on to your cell phone contract. You may do well to leave the phone at home in the basement and just enjoy your day in the sun.

Len Lesser is a counselor in Dorchester.

Len Lesser

Len Lesser posts a report every week

You can email Len at lenlesser@hotmail.com