We're in the same boat! But I fell for it, like, 15-20yrs ago. Have been restricting myself since, basically, to the web 1.0 level. I don't have broadband anymore, only limited plan, - this stops me from watching videos. This was a conscious step. After setting up some physical barriers it became easier to change my own mindset (I knew I didn't have such an iron will to begin with). Also, knowledge helps. For example, being concerned with own privacy, security and health, prevents me from using garbage like tiktok or instagram. There's also conventional wisdom which tells me to stop trying to catch on with everything (HN news stream, for example :) ). Although it was necessary for my line of work for quite a while, but in life it brings nothing but sense of miss or loss like "Oh I could've done this/involved with that/joined those projects/used this library/visited that conference/etc.
Sorry if this comment turned into ramblings )
I'm an addict
51–60 of 602 posts
Re: I'm an addict
#52Consider talking to a doctor about ADD? (Alternatively, get some Adderall somewhere and experiment.) Executive control is a distinct mental capability.
Please don't ever again recommend to someone with problems randomly that they should "get some amphetamine somewhere and experiment". Okay?
Re: I'm an addict
#53Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…
An alternate to religion is Meditation. IMO, a lot of spiritual practices share very similar mental mechanics (eg mantras and prayers, various forms of fasting, support networks, etc)
Re: I'm an addict
#54Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…
> It’s always best to find your own path according to the religion of your parents and environment.
That ship sailed a while ago, my parents aren't religious, and I don't know any religious people.
Re: I'm an addict
#55The internet was more addicting 20 years ago.
Having to pay for it by the minute somewhat moderated the effect back then.
Re: I'm an addict
#56Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…
The problem I have with religion is the focus on "removing the doubt", which I strongly disagree with - doubting a god's existance is a major no-no in most popular religions. And as soon as you remove the doubt ban, you don't really have a religion anymore, but a philosophy.
So I'd personally recommend philosophy to people, instead of religion. Bertrand Russell (also known for his mathematical work) is an excellent place to start.
EDIT: For those who disagree, I'd recommend a Russell's essay "Why I Am Not A Christian" [0]. It is quite short and readable.
Re: I'm an addict
#57Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…
> Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists Any sources that will back this claim? Oh wait, you don't need facts. Do you give this sort of unsolicited religious advice to everyone or do you specifically choose people who are troubled?
Weird approach to attack the substance of this sentence, since psychology is the most vague of sciences.
Re: I'm an addict
#58This hits hard. I recently counted hours watched on YT (via history export) and OH MY GD, it averaged around 3 hours daily throught the year, for several years. I just imagined WHAT IF I have spent this amount of effort and time on ANYTHING else: playing an instrument, learning a new language, coding a side-project. The thought scared me so much, aka the difference between current me and "potential" me that I have ab…
Read what Ted has to say about the necessity of going through the power process (paragraphs 33 onward) and the motives of scientists (paragraphs 87 onward) for some perspective in his manifesto on Industrial Society and Its Future:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/unab...
Re: I'm an addict
#59Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’m sure I’ve read a few dozen of the same old AA debates on HN, but, yeah it worked for my old man. AA, in particular the serenity prayer, has at least some overlap with the more tech friendly pursuit of Stoic philosophy. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
My issue with AA is that people can seek attention by relapsing. Going cold turkey and never drinking again is the simple solution and it doesn't require all the drama.
Interesting take. Is it from experience or an ego boost by comparing yourself to those who have relapsed ?
Re: I'm an addict
#60Personally I've found that trying to limit hours spent on $badthing is not as effective as requiring hours spent on $goodthing. (Note that "good" here is shorthand for whatever you find to be more rewarding in the long term, not a universal or moral concept.) For example, instead of saying I will spend no more than X hours on social media or video games, I say that I will spend no less than Y hours on exercise or craft hobbies. The key is to center the good things and fit the bad things around those, instead of the other way around. Make a schedule if you have to. Some people find that making a commitment to other people - e.g. a workout buddy, a craft guild - can help. Start small, with goals that are easier to achieve (though they'll still require some exercise of will). As your self-discipline improves, you can change the balance accordingly.