Earlier quoted context omitted.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9224
this is my favorite response to something like this
The original author of that comment is still active and reflects on it from time to time when it pops up.
I left my tech job to build a meditation app
31–40 of 118 posts
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#32I’ve downloaded a lot of mediation apps and they all seem same. Throw rhythmic breathing (maybe make it configurable, but not too configurable), mix in some simple animations, and the same Creative Commons gongs and bells, and call it a day. Hire some people to do some voice overs for “guided meditations”, and charge a $50 monthly subscription fee. I even started to make my own until I discovered you couldn’t get hap…
It's nice to see a renewed public interest in meditation driving the trend of new meditation apps, but I feel that most of the apps miss the point. The act of meditating is marketed as an individualistic, prescriptive activity for stress and anxiety; it is absent any of the spiritual content that (for me) makes it potent. To elaborate, I personally didn't get much out of meditation until I starting using it to sit wi…
> By contrast, apps like Headspace are selling themselves like "feeling anxious? Try our app!" and getting corporate sponsorships for employers to give subscriptions to their employees, like a commodity to pacify a stressed out workforce.
These don't sound like complaints about anything the app itself lacks, they sound like complaints that it is successful at marketing.
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#33You don't need meditation apps (or to build one). You need meditation. But that hinges on realizing you're a junkie.
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#34My meditation trick is to put all gadgets away and take a nap in my hammock.
Meditation is physiologically different from sleep and each confers benefits that the other does not.
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#35To enjoy a meaningful life. That's the correct path dude. Congrats
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#36I mean absolutely no offence but I’m afraid you’ll do a lot of meditating on why you left a secure job to build something no one needs.
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#37If I want to meditate I don't want to have my phone or a computer anywhere near me. Having an app "guide" you is essentially another distraction you'll have to eliminate.
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#38solutionism
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#39[deleted]
Re: I left my tech job to build a meditation app
#40For the author: if you need some inspiration from another meditation/breathing app, check https://github.com/mmazzarolo/breathly-app
Thank you for sharing your meditation/breathing app and code! I really appreciate the kind gesture. I'll definitely take a look to learn more about what kinds of things people need/want.