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I'm an addict

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Re: I'm an addict

#81

Post by dgb23 »

IYasha wrote: post #51

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…

HN is somewhere in the middle of useful and interesting versus distracting and repetitive. It’s valuable enough for me to keep track of. I’ve noticed that I like it more through RSS. Because I don’t see upvotes and comment counts there.

Re: I'm an addict

#82

Post by paulryanrogers »

SnowHill9902 wrote: post #23

Knowing 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…

Nothing quite like fear of eternal damnation to motivate oneself.

Re: I'm an addict

#83

Post by hericium »

For me, a major part of ADHD management consists of forcing myself to do something, multiple times a day. It's work, learning, chores-like tasks, sport, hygiene, regular sleep, cold morning shower, unprocessed food preparation - pretty much everything that isn't immediately pleasurable.

I'm "unhappy" multiple times a day when I start doing something that doesn't usually have to be done right away. But it's often a choice not between doing something now or later, but doing something now, not never.

However weirdly this may sound - I constantly do things against myself, for myself. I don't get much satisfaction from finishing those tasks but my life quality has increased drastically and I wouldn't go back from moments of discomfort to an ongoing discomfort.

Re: I'm an addict

#84

Post by ZeroGravitas »

cyphar wrote: post #21
artemonster wrote: post #9

This 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…

I started learning Japanese about two years ago now and now all of the time I used to waste watching YouTube is spent watching YouTube in Japanese as language practice. It's still the same activity but is at least somewhat productive. I barely go on Hacker News too, since it feels like more of a waste of time ("I could be studying Japanese right now!").

I did similar with video games, playing them in a different language made me feel better about it.

Re: I'm an addict

#85

Post by seti0Cha »

projektfu wrote: post #43
flycaliguy wrote: post #30

Earlier 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.

That's like the simple solution for depression: think happy thoughts. Addiction rewires your brain so that simply stopping is a very heavy lift. Not impossible, but relapses are common and there's usually drama, AA or no.

Re: I'm an addict

#86

Post by d_tr »

kanonieer wrote: post #48
SnowHill9902 wrote: post #23

Knowing 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?

They are just stating their opinion in an 100% neutral way. You are free to ignore it. People give "unsolicited advice" here all the time. It is a forum where people post things for others to read. Why do people get so easily upset whenever the word "religion" is displayed, heard or even implied?

Re: I'm an addict

#87

Post by spoiler »

projektfu wrote: post #43
flycaliguy wrote: post #30

Earlier 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.

This is actually dangerous advice for a lot of forms of addiction... You MUSTN'T quit certain substances cold turkey, especially after prolonged abuse, because the intake of them are part of the body's homeostasis.

It's also very inconsiderate... Addiction generally has much deeper roots than just "craving the high" since it can be maladaptive coping mechanisms people develop due to traumatic childhoods (or later life, but less likely). Eg, substance abuse/addiction is commonly found in people who suffer from CPTSD.

The high isn't "I'm having the time of my life" for these people, but a a way to disconnect and silence their brain demons.

Also, a lot of people don't know they were abused or neglected as children (becaus it's "their normal") and then go through life as struggling with all sorts of internalised shit.

Edit: Also a very important thing I want to put out there: if anyone struggling with addition reads this, addiction isn't something to be ashamed of or to put yourself down over. It might not be your fault. But most addictions are maladaptive, and the sooner resolved the more you will get out of life. Don't be ashamed of yourself, and don't hate yourself for it

Re: I'm an addict

#88

Post by seti0Cha »

paulryanrogers wrote: post #82
SnowHill9902 wrote: post #23

Knowing 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…

Nothing quite like fear of eternal damnation to motivate oneself.

That's a strawman.

Re: I'm an addict

#89

Post by kanonieer »

bowsamic wrote: post #73
kanonieer wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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?

Unnecessarily aggressive and rude. This just reads like you feel superior to religious people

I have no issues with religious people. I do however have issues with "missionary" types popping up around people who are vulnerable, trying to convince them with completely baseless claims of wellness.

Re: I'm an addict

#90

Post by clcaev »

orangepurple wrote: post #58
artemonster wrote: post #9

This 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...

What a long-winded rant. Does he ever construct a reasoned argument?
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