Voicing frustration with social media is hardly a groundbreaking tech take today, but Mina Kimes brings plenty of other distinct opinions to the table. For instance, she views FaceTiming anyone outside of immediate family as peculiar behavior. She also prefers keeping her device perpetually unlocked and treats inbox zero with near-religious devotion. Additionally, she enjoys finding corners of the internet where men encourage one another. Recently, she shared insights regarding her favorite subreddits, her music streaming habits, and her extensive collection of memes.
Discussing her hardware, she mentioned having her phone replaced recently after cracking the screen with her car. The mishap occurred when she rested the device on the roof and it slid down while opening the trunk. Bringing a damaged device to an Apple store always brings a sense of familiar shame despite staff having seen it all. Even with a toddler prone to dropping and throwing devices, she managed to keep the previous model intact and chose the same version upon replacement. Her computer is a 2019 13-inch MacBook Air that is starting to show its age, complete with fan noises reminiscent of an old air conditioning unit.
Managing Screen Time and Social Media Fatigue
She does not actively monitor her daily metrics, estimating her usage to be around four hours primarily because she keeps the screen unlocked to avoid seeing the clock at night. While professional reading, research, and email correspondence do not bother her, spending more than 15 minutes on social media drains her energy significantly. She maintains accounts on Instagram, Reddit, and Bluesky, but immediately logs out after publishing promotional clips or podcast updates to minimize idle scrolling.
According to her, the most effective digital detox is having a child, as spending quality time outdoors with her son naturally keeps her away from screens. Her music consumption on Spotify has been completely altered by her three-year-old, meaning her listening history is dominated by children's artists rather than conventional tracks. However, keeping her email inbox at under ten unread messages remains a core productivity habit, inherited from her father who served as an Air Force major.
Workouts, AI Tools, and Online Communities
Recently venturing into strength training at a gym for the first time, she has been exploring fitness tips online while working with a trainer. Most of the photos on her device now feature her son rather than her dog, capturing moments like building toy towers. When using AI tools, she limits queries to basic household questions or search queries rather than elaborate automated workflows. While she appreciates Bluesky for its realistic conversational atmosphere, she feels that Twitter has lost its appeal and degraded into a hostile environment.
Her news consumption relies heavily on The York Times alongside local newsletters. When watching television series, she enjoys exploring related subreddits for community discussions, alongside wholesome spaces like the baldness support community where users encourage one another. Her favorite tech accessory remains a Bose Bluetooth speaker that makes long car rides with her children much easier. For nostalgia, she misses Google Reader, while her current curiosity extends to trivia study and historical topics like Chinese dynasties.
