I dig Navil's writing too, but that quote you referenced, "All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone," was actually written by the 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, who was also a physicist and philosopher. It's from a collection of his reflections called Pensées. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/18269/18269-h/18269-h.htm
“The best way to learn is to build a real world project and only search for information when you need it. How much you learn is directly correlated with how much progress you make on the project.”
I felt this firsthand while working on my physics master’s thesis. At the beginning of my project, I would read papers to get “background knowledge” about the topic. I basically absorbed nothing. Now that I’m actually writing the thesis, I can filter through tons of literature (with the help of AI) to precisely pinpoint what aspects are relevant to the thesis itself. I think I’ve learned more in these last three weeks than I have in the past year that I’ve been working on the project, only because now I’ve started putting the information together in a written thesis document.
I really wish people would consult a neuroscientist before using the phrase "dopamine detox." Other than the incorrect neurobiology claims, it's a good article. (None of the detox strategies listed actually lower DA, and if they did, you'd have Parkinson's symptoms.)
Hey Dan, the Superhuman 90 website doesn't seem to be working. Just a heads up. Also, thanks for the great post. I really like this framework for doing a reset.
Looks like substack doesn't like link redirects (or I did something wrong haha). Thanks for letting me know - this is the link just so people have it https://stan.store/thedankoe/p/superhuman6
Fantastic article. Sound actionable advice that any person can take. If done properly, you will probably save money, reduce your stress levels, and become much healthier. Dan, what do you suggest for those whose jobs/careers require them to be on social media daily? What is the workaround?
I simply wanted to rectify that the quote from Naval about our inability to stay alone in a room is originally from Blaise Pascal a french philosopher, if anyone is interested in reading him.
Just finished reading this — and honestly, it hits hard. It’s not just another “detox challenge,” it’s a reminder of how far we’ve drifted from our natural rhythm. The way Dan connects boredom, clarity, and flow is spot on — we chase stimulation so much we forget what peace actually feels like. The part about walking and reflection really stuck with me. It’s simple, but it’s exactly what most of us need — less noise, more presence. Might actually commit to this 30-day reset.
Love this Dan, especially the part about boredom as the gateway to novelty.
But here’s the thing, most people don’t need another dopamine detox. They need to remember why they’re doing it in the first place.
And it shouldn't be because you said so, or because it’s trending. But because they’re tired of being strangers to their own minds.
If the “why” doesn’t come from within, it’s just another external script.. another performance in the endless scroll.
The real detox is about reconnection.... waking up.
When you go offline, when you sit still long enough to meet yourself again, you begin to dissolve the illusion of separation. You reconnect to the same energy that creates everything. That’s when creation flows.
I guess the link redirect didn't work. Here it is for those looking for it: https://stan.store/thedankoe/p/superhuman6
Thank you dan 😭😭😭 you have no fricking idea how crazy i was about to go i needed a STRICT detox
“how crazy I was about to go” a memoir of reading dan’s substack
I dig Navil's writing too, but that quote you referenced, "All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone," was actually written by the 17th-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal, who was also a physicist and philosopher. It's from a collection of his reflections called Pensées. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/18269/18269-h/18269-h.htm
Came here to say this!
Came here for this😂
“The best way to learn is to build a real world project and only search for information when you need it. How much you learn is directly correlated with how much progress you make on the project.”
I felt this firsthand while working on my physics master’s thesis. At the beginning of my project, I would read papers to get “background knowledge” about the topic. I basically absorbed nothing. Now that I’m actually writing the thesis, I can filter through tons of literature (with the help of AI) to precisely pinpoint what aspects are relevant to the thesis itself. I think I’ve learned more in these last three weeks than I have in the past year that I’ve been working on the project, only because now I’ve started putting the information together in a written thesis document.
From the dopamine dealer himself.
I really wish people would consult a neuroscientist before using the phrase "dopamine detox." Other than the incorrect neurobiology claims, it's a good article. (None of the detox strategies listed actually lower DA, and if they did, you'd have Parkinson's symptoms.)
Yes. This came at the perfect moment. Thank you, Dan!
Hey Dan, the Superhuman 90 website doesn't seem to be working. Just a heads up. Also, thanks for the great post. I really like this framework for doing a reset.
Looks like substack doesn't like link redirects (or I did something wrong haha). Thanks for letting me know - this is the link just so people have it https://stan.store/thedankoe/p/superhuman6
Fantastic article. Sound actionable advice that any person can take. If done properly, you will probably save money, reduce your stress levels, and become much healthier. Dan, what do you suggest for those whose jobs/careers require them to be on social media daily? What is the workaround?
Thank you for writing salient and relevant material to help those of us who are trying to better ourselves legitimately.
Apparently I’m in a permanent dopamine detox already
Thank you Dan !
I simply wanted to rectify that the quote from Naval about our inability to stay alone in a room is originally from Blaise Pascal a french philosopher, if anyone is interested in reading him.
Just finished reading this — and honestly, it hits hard. It’s not just another “detox challenge,” it’s a reminder of how far we’ve drifted from our natural rhythm. The way Dan connects boredom, clarity, and flow is spot on — we chase stimulation so much we forget what peace actually feels like. The part about walking and reflection really stuck with me. It’s simple, but it’s exactly what most of us need — less noise, more presence. Might actually commit to this 30-day reset.
Thanks for your post, it's always a pleasure to read your writingd.
For information, the quote is from blaise pascal, not naval ravikant
Love this Dan, especially the part about boredom as the gateway to novelty.
But here’s the thing, most people don’t need another dopamine detox. They need to remember why they’re doing it in the first place.
And it shouldn't be because you said so, or because it’s trending. But because they’re tired of being strangers to their own minds.
If the “why” doesn’t come from within, it’s just another external script.. another performance in the endless scroll.
The real detox is about reconnection.... waking up.
When you go offline, when you sit still long enough to meet yourself again, you begin to dissolve the illusion of separation. You reconnect to the same energy that creates everything. That’s when creation flows.
Thank you so much for this Dan. It's truly helpful.