I found this post on HN (and ensuing comments) maybe the most ironic of all time.
Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
71–80 of 84 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
The QC25’s are on sale right now for $120 which I’ve heard is insanely cheap. Do you still not recommend them for that cheap of a price? I was just about to bite the bullet on it.
> for $120 which I’ve heard is insanely cheap What? My earphones are $15. What do $120 headphones do to deserve being 8 times more expensive?
Why the downvotes? Is my surprise at seeing $120 headphones considered as cheap somehow inappropriate for the site?
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#73https://musicforprogramming.net/?two is something that my wife uses with success.
I've had this on for most of the day now; definitely a good recommendation. Thanks for sharing!
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#74Addy. 5 mg. Every other day. I know this will be down-voted, but I've been having issues focussing at work and completing projects for the last 10 years or so. Visited a Psychiatrist (in Palo Alto). After listening to my situation, she followed it up with a detailed Q & A. She then prescribed 5 mg XR (extended release) of Adderall. Apparently "mild ADHD" is a thing with software engineers in their 30s and up... The d…
I learned to do the exact same thing and use it in the exact same way, except that I'm on 15mg XR. (The perils of being a programmer AND a gamer...)
20mg XR caused me to have long term memory loss due to REM sleep disturbance, which caused both work issues AND personal relationship issues, so I had to downgrade. Sadly those 30lbs I lost while on 20, came right back...
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
> for $120 which I’ve heard is insanely cheap What? My earphones are $15. What do $120 headphones do to deserve being 8 times more expensive?
Why the downvotes? Is my surprise at seeing $120 headphones considered as cheap somehow inappropriate for the site?
downvotes for comparing headphones without active noise cancellation to headphones that have very good noise cancellation.
until you try them, you wouldn't understand.
and yes, that is cheap considering that NC headphones typically go for $299 and up
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#76Get a Bose QC 35, it will change your life and also your future flights.
Can also recommend the
Sony WH1000XM2 cans for the exact same reason.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#771) A bit of Adderall 15mg XR on the days I need it
2) An excellent automatic-time-tracker app, the transparency into your own habits is life-changing: https://www.rescuetime.com/
3) NC headphones: Sony WH1000XM2 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B074KDJVS2/ref=oh_aui_se... ORRRR apple's AirPods
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#78Get a Bose QC 35, it will change your life and also your future flights.
Unfortunately headphones and noise cancellation don't help with the fight vs. flight reflex that gets automatically triggered by foot traffic near your desk or especially behind your back. This is why reaching a state of flow and getting really productive is just totally impossible in an open-plan office setting period. The most basic requirement for being able to focus is privacy. Quiet is also important, but not ne…
Open plan offices for any kind of knowledge work should be made illegal since they are a health hazard. Private offices should be the norm.
This would benefit everyone as open plans destroy productivity. The "free market" (oligopoly) has obviously failed here so the state needs to step in.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
Unfortunately headphones and noise cancellation don't help with the fight vs. flight reflex that gets automatically triggered by foot traffic near your desk or especially behind your back. This is why reaching a state of flow and getting really productive is just totally impossible in an open-plan office setting period. The most basic requirement for being able to focus is privacy. Quiet is also important, but not ne…
Open plan offices for any kind of knowledge work should be made illegal since they are a health hazard. Private offices should be the norm. This would benefit everyone as open plans destroy productivity. The "free market" (oligopoly) has obviously failed here so the state needs to step in.
I know most people here would find this drastic, but I agree with you. We already have things like OSHA to regulate workplace safety procedures. We legislate things about break times, overtime, etc.
I think creating a specification that office workers must be given a certain measurable protection against general workplace noise and a certain minimum of private floorspace in which to work, would be quite reasonable.
I wonder if a change.org petition or something would be worthwhile.
Re: Ask HN: How do you focus at work?
#80Earlier quoted context omitted.
Unfortunately headphones and noise cancellation don't help with the fight vs. flight reflex that gets automatically triggered by foot traffic near your desk or especially behind your back. This is why reaching a state of flow and getting really productive is just totally impossible in an open-plan office setting period. The most basic requirement for being able to focus is privacy. Quiet is also important, but not ne…
Open plan offices for any kind of knowledge work should be made illegal since they are a health hazard. Private offices should be the norm. This would benefit everyone as open plans destroy productivity. The "free market" (oligopoly) has obviously failed here so the state needs to step in.
I tried making a poll to gauge interest in the possibility of a petition or general support for disallowing open-plan offices, but it quickly dropped out of the first page of “new” posts...
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17558732 >