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I Got My Attention Back (2017)

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Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#181

Post by asdfman123 »

frosted-flakes wrote: post #169
asdfman123 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1) Even very minor changes, like leaving electronics in a different room, help. 2) The best website blocker for me isn't one that that blocks me from Facebook/reddit/etc for a week -- I just start to rebel against it and eventually uninstall. The one I use is called "Focus" and blocks me out for 20 minutes. Enough to get work done, but also not enough for me to start resenting it. 3) I figured out that I could actual…

I used to bike to the library after work, about 4 km each way. It started out as a form of exercise (the library happened to be along the bike path), but eventually I was going almost every night just so I could pick a magazine from the library's large selection and read for 30 minutes or an hour. I still had my phone, but because I set out to go to the library, and the form of transport was so focused and meditative…

I don't know if you have ADHD, but I do. (Maybe you have it and it's undiagnosed.)

I've found that rather than worrying about my own motivation or lack thereof, it's better to focus on sleep, exercise and diet. Get those things and "motivation" will come. If I'm not motivated, I try to improve those factors.

I guess I'm saying that because it sounds like exercise is important to you as well.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#182

Post by chexx »

andi999 wrote: post #173
chexx wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would not be so quick to throw away "drugs" as they have the strongest efficacy compared to any method shared here. Anecdotally, I used to follow a lot of these methods described here, but more specifically: - Keeping a journal - Reducing blue-light before bed - Diet & excercise - Meditations I do agree that there is merit in each one of them, but absolutely nothing worked better than the "drugs" that was prescribe…

What medication did you get?

Adderall (IR 20mg bid).

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#183

Post by 488643689 »

derefr wrote: post #156
foofoo4u wrote: post #121

I want to throw my phone away and switch to a "dumb" phone so I can rid my addiction to it, but I have become dependent on several core apps such as Google Maps. I wish Android would allow me full control to delete every app on there but the ones I most need. But unfortunately, its restrictions prevent me from doing so. For example, I want to delete all web browser apps so I am not tempted to the addiction of the int…

A simple solution is to: 1. set up parental-control restrictions that lock you out of these apps; 2. hand your phone to someone you trust, and tell them to set the unlock password for the parental-control restrictions (so that only they will know it); 3. ask that said person also does you the service of typing the password to disable the restrictions when requested—but only with 24 hours' notice. (I.e. you ask, and t…

Solo tech fun:

- Set a long parental control password, you won't remember.

- Write it into some file.

- Put that file into an encrypted container, with a short to medium generated random password you won't be shown .

To access the phone you have to brute-force the container password.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#184

Post by derefr »

488643689 wrote: post #183
derefr wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A simple solution is to: 1. set up parental-control restrictions that lock you out of these apps; 2. hand your phone to someone you trust, and tell them to set the unlock password for the parental-control restrictions (so that only they will know it); 3. ask that said person also does you the service of typing the password to disable the restrictions when requested—but only with 24 hours' notice. (I.e. you ask, and t…

Solo tech fun: - Set a long parental control password, you won't remember. - Write it into some file. - Put that file into an encrypted container, with a short to medium generated random password you won't be shown . To access the phone you have to brute-force the container password.

Makes me picture a person who wants to learn lock-picking, putting randomized locks on internal doors between rooms in their house :)

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#185

Post by rrrrrrrrrrrryan »

anon9001 wrote: post #153
sevensor wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm. I recommend something compelling, work-related, and thoroughly analog: get a really nice engineering notebook and give yourself permission to write all over it. Close the lid of the laptop when you do this, and put the phone aside. Write one paragraph that describes the problem you're working on, or draw a diagram. Allot ten minutes…

> We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm. I think everyone has the cause and effect backwards. I believe that we're not distracted because we have these magical distraction devices. Rather, we invented the distraction devices because modern life is so devoid of meaning and purpose that distraction is a survival adaptation. The higher quality the distractions, the higher qu…

> Being truly "calm" unleashes a deep existential anxiety about how life is precious and I'm wasting all of it with work and other meaningless obligations. I keep that crisis under control by smothering it with more distractions.

https://i.imgur.com/o8uP11q.jpeg

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#186

Post by whytaka »

siraben wrote: post #178
whytaka wrote: post #171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd love instructions on how to set this up for myself. I've ordered the reMarkable 2 and this is definitely the use-case I have in mind.

Sure! The Shortcut goes like this: Accepts: URLs - Set variable input to Shortcut input - Get contents of webpage at input - Make PDF from Contents of Webpage - Set variable file to PDF - Open file in reMarkable (toggle Show Open In Menu to off)

Saved this for later. Many thanks!

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#187

Post by codr7 »

olyjohn wrote: post #167
freehunter wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For all the people up and down this thread saying “just buy a dedicated GPS”, realize that Google Maps is not a GPS device. It has restaurant reviews and information about parks and bike paths and parking lots and busy hours and traffic data and street closures and pictures/menus and so much more. If the question is “what restaurant do we want to go to after we leave the theater, within walking distance or public tra…

You could also look this up at home on a dedicated computing terminal before going out.

I actuallly did, even drew nice street maps in my notebook.

But once I was there, simply asking someone in the street turned out to be a much better idea.

Re: I Got My Attention Back (2017)

#188

Post by sevensor »

anon9001 wrote: post #153
sevensor wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm. I recommend something compelling, work-related, and thoroughly analog: get a really nice engineering notebook and give yourself permission to write all over it. Close the lid of the laptop when you do this, and put the phone aside. Write one paragraph that describes the problem you're working on, or draw a diagram. Allot ten minutes…

> We use digital devices for distraction from our anxieties when what we need is calm. I think everyone has the cause and effect backwards. I believe that we're not distracted because we have these magical distraction devices. Rather, we invented the distraction devices because modern life is so devoid of meaning and purpose that distraction is a survival adaptation. The higher quality the distractions, the higher qu…

Thanks for a response that cuts right to the premises of my comment! Your approach is incredibly bleak, but if you reject the premise that being able to focus is desirable, then your conclusion is spot-on. I hope my response gives you the hit of distraction you need to get you through the next five minutes!
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