Thanks, Apple. But I’m sure this isn’t what you intended.

My new iPhone keeps its display on. Always.

True, there are some situations where it’s smart enough to make the screen be completely off. Or maybe it’s just completely black. I’m not sure how these screens work now.

I bet Apple thinks always-on is a great feature. Because, now you can instantly see the time and notifications etc. and it’s all configurable! (You should read that in breathless, marketing-hype voice.)

Instead, what it actually does is remind me constantly that this thing is awake and eagerly awaiting its next opportunity to seize and monopolize my attention. It’s made it even more clear that this thing is hungry for the next opportunity to manipulate me. It sits perfectly still trying to look like calm technology, when in fact it’s a sleeping dragon ready to pounce.

Thanks, Apple, for letting a little wisp of smoke drift out of its nostrils.

…so that I never forget what it really is.

ɕ