This text is part of the "Extra Time" newsletter, written by Mariana Coutinho. The series consists of five chapters and aims to teach how to reclaim your attention throughout the day and focus on what truly matters.
The article addresses the nostalgia that has emerged regarding the early days of the internet and explains that the ways of being online have completely changed since then. One of the main changes mentioned is social media recommendation algorithms.
The text highlights how common it is for people to enter apps like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and LinkedIn with a specific search purpose, only to end up losing themselves and spending half an hour watching random content. This happens because recommendation algorithms promote passive browsing, in which the user is at the mercy of what is shown and chosen for them.
The article appears to be incomplete, but it suggests that the solution to this problem involves so-called "active navigation" and "cleaning your feeds," strategies that will be covered in the continuation of the content to help the reader reclaim their time.
