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Scroll.in ·For the curious

Greek-Roman Philosopher Plutarch’s Ancient Advice for How to Be Happier Online

by Matthew Sharpe, The Conversation

Published 2026-07-26 15:00:01+00:00

Can an ancient philosopher's advice on ignoring street graffiti help break a modern scrolling habit?

0:00 / 8:43 · Narrator Gacrux

Context

Published on 26 July 2026, Matthew Sharpe's essay places a first-century Greek philosopher next to the modern smartphone. Long before algorithms existed, Plutarch spent his days thinking about the human urge to gossip and seek out outrage. Today, tech companies use those exact impulses as a business model. The situation prompts a very practical question. If social media platforms are just automated versions of humanity's oldest bad habits, can ancient philosophy offer a realistic way to break the loop?

Show notes

An application of the ancient philosopher Plutarch’s writings to modern social media habits. Maps his advice for curbing gossip, envy, and outrage onto everyday digital behaviors, offering small steps to regain control over attention. Connects his exercises in habit-building to the psychological vulnerabilities exploited by algorithmic platforms.

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