For many people, lying awake at night is a frustrating experience—a struggle against restlessness and an inability to quiet the mind. For Pavel Durov, the visionary chief executive officer of Telegram, those sleepless moments represent something entirely different: an ideal environment for creativity and introspection. During a conversation on Lex Fridman’s podcast, Durov explained that his nightly routine includes dedicating an extraordinary eleven to twelve hours to sleep or, more precisely, to the process surrounding it. Even when his thoughts remain active and his mind is racing, he views this extended period of wakeful rest as deeply productive. Within those silent hours, Durov said, flashes of insight often appear—concepts, innovations, and creative solutions that come uninvited but prove invaluable once daylight returns.
When morning arrives, Durov begins his day in a remarkably disciplined way: without turning immediately to his smartphone. He has carefully established boundaries around his technology use, adhering to a philosophy that prizes mental clarity and independent thought over constant connectivity. Fridman, recounting two weeks spent in Durov’s company, noted that he never once saw the tech entrepreneur scroll aimlessly through social media feeds or engage in the habitual digital distractions that dominate most people’s waking hours. Durov himself believes that smartphones, while immensely powerful tools, can also serve as profound impediments to creativity and self-reflection, preventing individuals from forming original ideas or pursuing independent mental pathways.
“My philosophy here is pretty simple,” Durov remarked with characteristic calm and precision. “I want to define what is important in my life. I refuse to let corporations, algorithms, or impersonal organizations dictate my priorities—whether by notifications, trending topics, or curated news feeds.” This statement encapsulates Durov’s broader worldview: a commitment to autonomy, both intellectual and existential. Yet, even with his skepticism toward digital dependency, he acknowledges the necessity of staying connected to the broader world, emphasizing the importance of moderation rather than total abstinence.
This careful balance is particularly noteworthy coming from someone whose professional life revolves around building products that encourage communication and social interaction. Durov has, after all, co‑founded not only one of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms but also one of Russia’s earliest and largest social networking sites. The apparent paradox is not lost on him. As he noted in the interview, it may seem contradictory that a man who helped create two of the largest digital communication ecosystems on the planet now advocates minimal phone use. Yet, Durov views this paradox as precisely the reason for his stance: his career has shown him both the immense potential and the serious pitfalls of hyperconnectivity.
Telegram did not immediately issue a response to Business Insider’s request for comment regarding his remarks, but Durov’s positions on technology and personal boundaries are consistent with his long‑standing public advocacy. Over the years, he has spoken passionately about digital privacy and the sanctity of personal data. In August, the Russian‑born entrepreneur declared that he would “rather die” than compromise Telegram users’ confidentiality by granting any third party access to their private messages. Such uncompromising statements have made Durov a prominent symbol in the continuing global debate over the limits of government regulation and the responsibilities of private tech companies.
His relationship with regulatory authorities has been particularly complex. In August 2024, for example, he was detained by French officials on allegations that Telegram’s services had been used to facilitate unlawful activities. Durov has unequivocally denied all accusations and maintained that Telegram’s mission is rooted in protecting freedom of communication rather than enabling misuse. The company’s operational philosophy, which includes resisting widespread censorship and rarely removing user‑generated content from its servers, remains a defining feature of its identity.
Despite leading a company built upon communication and connectivity, Durov maintains a contrarian viewpoint regarding personal accessibility. As he explained to Fridman, he has observed a clear correlation between constant availability and reduced efficiency. According to him, “the more connected and accessible you are, the less productive you become.” In essence, Durov’s approach represents a deliberate retreat from the noise of perpetual connectivity—a belief that genuine innovation, clarity of thought, and purposeful productivity emerge only when the mind is granted the time and silence to think freely, unburdened by digital interruptions.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-limits-his-phone-usage-2025-10
