Phones down, bison up, and a lesson in Oreology
We all could use some relief from doomscrolling. This week’s good news includes cellphone science, a growing bison herd and Oreo research.
Moderation in all things digital
Enough with the smartphone shaming. Yes, it’s easy to get sucked in. But most of us would live diminished lives if we ditched our phones — missing news, friends and family, and life’s little joys like Wordle, Quordle, Octordle, Sedecordle … . Luckily, recent data indicate that we shouldn’t be choosing between routine smartphone use and smartphone abstinence anyway, because a middle path leads to better outcomes. Participants in a one-week randomized study who reduced their phone use by an hour a day ended up better off than those who stayed off their phones completely and those who kept up normal habits. Even four months after the experiment, the “moderation” group reported the greatest life satisfaction and physical activity and the least depression, anxiety and nicotine consumption.
For this week’s and good things, and to read our weekly feature, scan this code with your smartphone or go to latimes.com/opinion.