Brick

The Brick comes from a simple concept: my phone and certain apps can be a distraction, and therefore, one needs to restrict access to them. Let’s be honest: technology companies are motivated to get more users on their platforms for longer, and they spend significant amounts of money figuring out how to do so. We don’t stand a chance with notifications, enticing videos, and clickbait.  No matter how much discipline and grit you have, most people are going to opt for the marshmallow now rather than wait for more marshmallows later. Therefore, Brick is a device that allows Users to choose which applications to restrict access to; for me, it is Messages, Twitter, and TikTok. All you need to do is tap the Brick and leave it somewhere other than where you are working productively. This is also perfect for nighttime, when you leave your phone next to your bed so you can hear the inevitable calls for help from your family (if they ever come) and not be tempted to doom-scroll into the wee hours. Think of the Brick as your act of demonstrating maturity, experience, and the ability to measure the risk/reward.