Distraction is contagious. When one person takes out their phone at dinner or at a party, it acts as an external trigger. Soon, others are lost in their screens, at the expense of the conversation. Psychologists call this phenomenon “social contagion.” The way others around us act influences how we act. Given the enormous impact others have on our actions, how can we manage distraction around those with whom we want to spend uninterrupted quality time? Essayist and investor Paul Graham coined a term for behaviors society discourages: social antibodies. The remedy for distraction in social situations involves the development of new norms that make it taboo to check one’s phone when in the company of others. The way to make sure certain behaviors are no longer acceptable is to call them out and address them with social antibodies. A way to discourage digital distraction is to give people two options: 1) excuse themselves to attend to the crisis happening on their device 2) kindly put their phone away The question goes like this: “I see you’re on your phone. Is everything okay?” More often than not, people will put their device away and return to the conversation. Thoughts? #Indistractable #Behavior #SocialScience …see more