Actor, comedian, and writer Aziz Ansari has consistently championed a low-tech lifestyle, from giving up social media and email years ago to his current use of a flip phone. His recent comments on the “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” podcast further solidify his stance, revealing deep skepticism about ChatGPT and modern AI, highlighting how intentional disconnection fuels his creativity and personal evolution.
In an era where digital connectivity often feels inescapable, Aziz Ansari stands out as a prominent advocate for an analog existence. For years, the multi-talented creator has deliberately distanced himself from the constant hum of the internet, a choice he believes enhances his creativity and overall well-being. This commitment to unplugging has only deepened over time, evolving from a simple digital detox into a profound skepticism of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
The Digital Detox Pioneer: A Journey to Unplug
Ansari’s journey into the analog world began years ago. In 2017, the Master of None star made headlines when he revealed in a GQ interview that he had quit Twitter and Instagram, removed the internet browser from his phone, and even stopped using email. His motivation was simple yet profound: to escape the addictive loop of constantly seeking “a new thing.”
“Whenever you check for a new post on Instagram or whenever you go on the New York Times to see if there’s a new thing, it’s not even about the content,” Ansari explained to GQ. “It’s just about seeing a new thing. You get addicted to that feeling.” This observation resonates deeply with growing concerns about social media’s impact on our brains, a topic frequently explored in digital wellness discussions.
The transition wasn’t immediate or easy. Ansari admitted to GQ reporter Mark Anthony Green, “When I first took the browser off my phone, I’m like [gasp] how am I gonna look stuff up?” However, the initial shock quickly faded. He found that most of what he looked up wasn’t essential, and eventually, he “forgot about the world online and stopped caring.”
This deliberate disconnection was also closely linked to his creative process. After two successful seasons of Master of None, Ansari felt the pressure to refill his creative “notebook.” He recognized that churning out personal and innovative ideas required a period of reflection, free from digital distractions. “My life has not progressed enough for me to write season three yet,” he shared, underscoring the need for mental space and real-world experiences to fuel his storytelling.
Instead of endless scrolling, Ansari turned to reading. “I’m reading, like, three books right now. I’m putting something in my mind. It feels so much better than just reading the internet and not remembering anything,” he noted, highlighting the tangible benefits of deep engagement over superficial consumption.
A Decade Offline: The Flip Phone and No Email
Years later, Ansari’s commitment to a low-tech existence remains unwavering and has, if anything, become more ingrained. During a recent appearance on the “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” podcast, Ansari confirmed he still uses a flip phone and has not had email for about a decade, relying on an assistant for necessary communications. This steadfast approach to technology gives him “more space to think,” a valuable commodity in his creative profession.
His analog preference extends to everyday tasks. Instead of using apps to hail a ride, Ansari opts for traditional taxis, calling his wife if he gets lost. This isn’t merely a quirky habit; it’s a conscious decision to engage with the world more directly, prioritizing human interaction and observation over digital convenience. He draws inspiration from other acclaimed filmmakers, such as Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan, who are also known for their limited use of smartphones, noting, “Those guys are able to get a lot of stuff done. Maybe there’s something to it.”
Skepticism Towards AI and ChatGPT
Ansari’s analog philosophy naturally extends to his views on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence. He expressed profound skepticism about ChatGPT on the podcast, describing it as “outsourcing critical thinking” and warning that “it’s making everyone’s opinions kind of the same.” His concern isn’t just about AI’s potential for inaccuracies, but its broader societal impact.
He recounted seeing a commercial where someone used ChatGPT to plan a dinner for a date. For Ansari, this exemplified a deeper issue. “I would rather call someone and ask someone, or maybe have some sort of conversation, a human thing,” he stated. “It just seems like it’s like outsourcing thinking, and it’s like killing some bit of humanity.” This perspective underscores a core tenet of his analog life: valuing genuine human connection and the messy, unpredictable process of human thought over algorithm-driven efficiency.
The Privilege of Disconnection and Broader Trends
Ansari acknowledges that his ability to live largely offline comes with a certain level of privilege, noting to People that it helps him “keep a clear head to help me write and do what’s more important for my job.” However, his choice also reflects a growing movement away from constant digital immersion, even among those without celebrity resources.
His views on technology and human connection are not new. His bestselling book, Modern Romance, co-written with sociologist Eric Klinenberg, extensively explored how new technologies have radically altered dating and relationships, often leading to increased anxiety and flakiness. As he pointed out to E! Online in 2013, texting can turn everyone into “a bunch of flakes unable to actually hang out with each other.”
Ansari is not alone in the spotlight in embracing a low-tech approach. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan has publicly stated he doesn’t carry a smartphone or use email, preferring to write scripts offline. Music icon Dolly Parton communicates primarily via fax machine to avoid being overwhelmed by messages. Even actor Christopher Walken has shared his nearly nonexistent relationship with modern technology, lacking a cellphone, email, or social media accounts, opting instead for DVDs to watch his own shows.
Beyond Hollywood, there’s a tangible “appstinence” movement, with many individuals, including Gen Z, opting for “dumb phones” to curb screen time and reduce social media addiction, as reported by Business Insider. Some are even ingeniously creating “DIY landlines” by chaining their smartphones to a wall to reclaim control over their digital habits, illustrating a shared desire to disconnect.
Why It Matters to the Fan Community
For the onlytrustedinfo.com community, Ansari’s analog journey offers valuable insights beyond celebrity news. His experiences highlight the profound impact that our relationship with technology has on our creativity, mental well-being, and capacity for critical thought. His choice serves as a powerful reminder that while technology offers unparalleled convenience, unchecked use can diminish our ability to engage deeply with ideas, foster genuine connections, and even think independently.
Ansari’s ongoing experiment in unplugging encourages us to reflect on our own digital habits. Are we truly engaging with content, or are we just chasing the next “new thing”? Is convenience always worth the potential cost to our focus and humanity? His story underscores the idea that sometimes, stepping away from the screen is the most advanced thing we can do for our minds and our lives.
