Yes, but phones are not those things that are okay, unless they're very well-manicured.

It's not mindless, it's far more insidious than that. There are people vying for your attention. They are not doing it mindlessly, and they are not doing it for your benefit.

Almost every mindless activity mankind has ever known hasn't required a phone-sized computer with a touch screen, but somehow that's nearly the only one people are doing anymore. I think that speaks to the effectiveness of the algorithms.

But to your point: Amen. Spend some time getting bored. It fixed a lot for me in the motivation department.

I am perfectly able to waste away entire days seeking out entertainment on my phone without the assistance of algorithms.

Put in another way; algorithmic content delivery isn't the only factor.

In Tristan Harris' words: There's a supercomputer pointing at your brain.

Mindless things like sitting on the porch, idly staring at the wall, or people watching sure. This is the fallow time that enables future growth.

Idly dopamine dripping on internet is like spraying salt on your fields. Nothings going to grow.

There's a difference between intentional leisure and addiction.