going against Reason (magazine)
Reason a libertarian magazine is wrong on digital minimalism, plus a book suggestion
First off, let's get some things straight
What is Libertarianism? Libertarianism, Libertarians believe that, in politics, liberty is the most important value. Almost everyone wants freedom for themselves, but a libertarian also seeks to protect and expand the freedom of others. Reason is an American libertarian monthly magazine published by the Reason Foundation, with the tagline "Free Minds and Free Markets".[1] The magazine aims to produce independent journalism that is "outside of the left/right echo chamber." As of 2016, the magazine had a circulation of around 50,000 and received about 2.5 million monthly unique website visitors. I write this as a fan of this magazine. And someone who doesn't have Facebook only has Goodreads
Since everyone has a bias, what's theirs? (https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/reason)"These media sources are slightly to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes.
Okay, Who is Cal Newport? From Penguin Random House, About the author "is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University, where he specializes in the theory of distributed systems, as well as a New York Times bestselling author who writes for a broader audience about the intersection of technology and culture. He’s the author of seven books, including Digital Minimalism and Deep Work, which have been published in over thirty languages. He’s also a regular contributor on these topics to national publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Wired, and is a frequent guest on NPR. His blog, Study Hacks, which he’s been publishing since 2007, attracts over three million visits a year. He lives with his wife and three sons in Takoma Park, Maryland."
Okay, what is digital minimalism?
Newport explores this concept in his book same name "Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World."Cal Newport describes "Digital minimalism" as a philosophy that encourages individuals to critically evaluate which digital communication tools and the behaviors associated with them contribute the most value to their lives. This approachis driven by the belief that by intentionally and decisively eliminating low-value digital distractions and optimizing the use of the tools that truly matter, individuals can significantly enhance their quality of life. Newport expounded on this concept in his book He has a podcast called Deep Questions. He's not the only thinker in this space.
Tristan Harris is an American technology ethicist. He is the executive director and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology. Harris has appeared in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. He is known for his humanistic perspective on technology and has written and given lectures on this topic,
Here's the Social Dilemma trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaaC57tcci0. Sherry Turkle, a social scientist and licensed clinical psychologist, has been studying people’s relationships with technology since the early days of the personal computer movement in the late 1970s. She is the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at MIT and the founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self. Turkle is the best-selling author of six books and three edited collections, including four landmark studies on our relationship with digital culture: The Second Self, Life on the Screen, Alone Together, and Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age.
So that's a bit of background on those two ideas,
What is the issue here? They seem to be two non-conflicting ideas; it doesn't conflict with the non-aggression principle (The non-aggression axiom is an ethical principle often appealed to as a basis for libertarian rights theory. The principle forbids “aggression,” which is understood to be any forcible interference with any individual’s person or property except in response to the initiation (including, for most proponents of the principle, the threatening of initiation) of similar forcible interference on the part of that individual. They even seem to go together. However, like star-crossed lovers, something is keeping them apart. What's the big deal here?
Reason magazine seems to be writing in favor of social media and big tech. Talk about unreasonable
Exhibit A: "10 of the Worst State Laws Going Into Effect in July."
Law number 5 "Beginning July 1, Virginia school boards will be required to implement policies restricting cellphone possession and use by students during school hours. The bill aims to reduce learning disruptions, like bullying and harassment, while carving out exceptions—like to address a health concern—and dictates that punishments for cellphone possession alone shall not include a school resource officer, suspension, or expulsion.
Such bans have increased in popularity in part because smart devices have been blamed for causing more depression, anxiety, and bullying among kids and teens, but implementing state-wide policies could backfire. The data are unclear on whether devices are the cause of concerning mental health trends among school-age children, and parents aren't sold on banning devices. A survey earlier this year found that most parents believe cellphones have a positive effect on their kids' lives. Regardless of their impact, there is no clear one-size-fits-all solution."
What are some arguments in favor of this law?
From Newsweek, Dr. Isha Metzger is a trailblazing Licensed Clinical Psychologist, thought leader, and advocate for culturally responsive mental health care. A proud first-generation American from Atlanta, Georgia, by way of Sierra Leone, West Africa, Dr. Metzger brings a global perspective to her work, which bridges clinical expertise, community advocacy, and systemic change. She is the Founder and Director of The EMPOWER Lab, Owner of Cultural Concepts, LLC, a Certified Therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and serves as the Mental Health Expert for Salone Health, a global organization committed to improving the well-being of Sierra Leoneans worldwide.
Associate professor at Georgia State University who researches youth mental health, told Newsweek: "From a mental health perspective, it's important to recognize that while cell phones can be a source of distraction, they can also be tools for connection, support, and safety. Schools that take a balanced approach to promoting digital literacy, healthy cell phone habits (including teaching students how to regulate their phone use), and mental health awareness will likely create more positive, inclusive learning environments in the long run."
You might say "Okay, one disputable subarticle but that doesn't mean they are anti-digital minimalism."
Oh, how I wish you were right. But there's more.
Exhibit B: Don't quit social media?
https://reason.com/2025/03/31/dont-count-on-quitting-social-media-to-make-your-life-better/ "Abstaining from social media has become a popular digital disconnection strategy of individuals to enhance their well-being," Lemahieu and her colleagues note. "To date, it is unclear whether social media abstinence is truly effective in improving well-being; however, as studies produce inconsistent outcomes."
Seriously!? A libertarian magazine telling us what to do? With the lack of skepticism, they do not tell us to take it with a grain of salt? And not to live and let live
According to a Psychology Today article.
"A 2022 research study asked 154 participants (average age of 29.6 years) to either stop using social media for one week (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok) or to continue using it as usual. The group that took a break from social media experienced significantly reduced anxiety and depression, along with greater well-being.
Exhibit C: Bad review of The Social Dilemma?
Reason's Robby Soave ( I like his commentary on the YouTube show by Reason "Free Media". he seems like a nice and friendly guy and I'm sure he is) ( I never met him) The article reads like he's dismissing the social dilemma as a bad scary movie in a review." It's pure moral panic from start to finish." counterpoint: "It’s important to be thoughtful, aware, proactive, and careful — but not fearful. Fear gets you knee-jerk reactions, not critical thinking. Digital technologies are tools. Like all tools, they can be used for good or evil. The challenge is targeting evil without giving up the massive benefits of the good. We don’t want to do the technological equivalent of throwing out the baby with the bathwater."
Everyone that I mentioned still has my respect. Agree to disagree
Which brings me to this point, that politics should be way less dogmatic and tribal. In real life or online, whether you're right or left, Libertarian or not , you should be able to disagree with ANY media outlet to any extent. You may disagree with anything you read in this. Please respond to me in an email. If you want a different take, please read Cal Newport's book. he has a podcast on YouTube
Digital Minimalism and watch The Social Dilemma see you next post. Don't forget to be awesome
https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Minimalism-Choosing-Focused-Noisy/dp/0525536515
Cited sources
Libertarianism.Org, www.libertarianism.org/what-is-a-libertarian. Accessed 6 July 2025.
Billings, Autumn. “10 of the Worst State Laws Going into Effect in July.” Reason.com, 1 July 2025, reason.com/2025/06/30/10-of-the-worst-state-laws-going-into-effect-in-july/.
Turow, Rachel Goldsmith. “Can a Break from Social Media Improve Mental Health?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/self-talk-science/202404/can-a-break-from-social-media-improve-mental-health. Accessed 5 July 2025.
During the writing process, Grammarly generated responses to the following AI prompts:
Prompts created by Grammarly
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