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Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

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Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

#151

Post by nativeit »

I setup a self-hosted FreshRSS + extensions for this very purpose. With a little effort, I can even pull in social media feeds and YouTube subscriptions. Now I have a very plain (but highly functional) UI with a chronological list of the sources I wish to follow. No recommendations, no algorithms, no infinite anything. For discovery, I can now go elsewhere and look for new content with intention, even if facilitated by algorithms. But I've successfully divorced that from the act of consumption.

I can tell you, it feels better. I have experienced what I consider to be a material improvement in consumption habits, and overall mental health.

Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

#152

Post by high_byte »

nativeit wrote: post #151

I setup a self-hosted FreshRSS + extensions for this very purpose. With a little effort, I can even pull in social media feeds and YouTube subscriptions. Now I have a very plain (but highly functional) UI with a chronological list of the sources I wish to follow. No recommendations, no algorithms, no infinite anything. For discovery, I can now go elsewhere and look for new content with intention, even if facilitated…

can you elaborate on the setup? this is interesting I want the same

Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

#153

Post by higgins »

Excellent!

Is this a browser extension or extension of the ScreenTime APIs? I find those apps that rely on screentime API to have too many hoops to jump through on user onboarding (not to mention a buggy app search interface in the ios sdk), so would be willing to test other strategies

Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

#154

Post by micromacrofoot »

nativeit wrote: post #147
micromacrofoot wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One thing I think a lot of people need to realize and ponder on more... is that these companies have nearly infinite resources, they have entire teams studying the psychology of how to get you to use their apps more (because they primarily chase engagement to sell your attention to advertisers). Not only do they have well-paid experts working on getting you using their platform more often and for longer, but they als…

100% agreed. I got my undergraduate degree in Media Studies, and one of things I learned was how intentional even the smallest details are in major productions. They spend millions of dollars, and employ full-time specialists for things like wardrobe and makeup, and those are skilled professionals whose job is to convey a narrative through their specific medium (in this case, wardrobe and makeup). The same applies wh…

Case in point: Facebook was once discovered to be keeping track of everything you wrote into the post input... even if you never posted it — they will consume every single piece of data they can

Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

#155

Post by matus_barany »

nativeit wrote: post #151

I setup a self-hosted FreshRSS + extensions for this very purpose. With a little effort, I can even pull in social media feeds and YouTube subscriptions. Now I have a very plain (but highly functional) UI with a chronological list of the sources I wish to follow. No recommendations, no algorithms, no infinite anything. For discovery, I can now go elsewhere and look for new content with intention, even if facilitated…

This looks exactly what I am trying to achieve with RSS but never quite got to the point where it's usable enough to stick to it long term.

Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

#157

Post by andrewrn »

nativeit wrote: post #151

I setup a self-hosted FreshRSS + extensions for this very purpose. With a little effort, I can even pull in social media feeds and YouTube subscriptions. Now I have a very plain (but highly functional) UI with a chronological list of the sources I wish to follow. No recommendations, no algorithms, no infinite anything. For discovery, I can now go elsewhere and look for new content with intention, even if facilitated…

I'm very curious how you manage to pull in social feeds-- there are many billions of dollars working against your accessing social media posts that haven't been dipped in digital crack. As far as I can tell, the API's that are available are really limited, as a result.

Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

#160

Post by nstj »

nativeit wrote: post #151

I setup a self-hosted FreshRSS + extensions for this very purpose. With a little effort, I can even pull in social media feeds and YouTube subscriptions. Now I have a very plain (but highly functional) UI with a chronological list of the sources I wish to follow. No recommendations, no algorithms, no infinite anything. For discovery, I can now go elsewhere and look for new content with intention, even if facilitated…

Sounds like a great thing to build! Seems like a lot of commenters are interested in more granular implementation details :)
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