The Brick and the Paradox of Digital Detox

As digital overload becomes the norm, a growing number of users are fighting back with anti-tech tools designed to limit their own screen time. Devices like the Brick physically block access to distracting apps until manually reactivated, while “dumb” phones, gamified focus apps, and offline social clubs promise relief from constant connectivity. Yet there’s a paradox: many of these trends gain traction through the very platforms they seek to escape. In this episode, we explore whether these anti-tech solutions offer genuine freedom—or simply repackage our dependence in a new form.https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/02/15/addicted-to-your-phone-try-bricking-it