Earlier quoted context omitted.
Or, use Git and make a ton of commits locally, then diff in the morning ;)
And the true genius in git's design emerges.
[deleted]
Why do humans procrastinate?
61–70 of 91 posts
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#62There was a recent highly cited paper describing the concept of willpower as a measurable, physiological, depletable quantity, strongly affected by glucose levels: http://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/~lchang/material/Evolutionary/Bra... And there was a very interesting Metafilter thread from a few years ago that found that a small amount of alcohol overcame procrastination: http://ask.metafilter.com/22924/Why-does-alcohol-ove…
I feel like there's something bio-psychological about this too, based on how I feel all the time.
yes...and thats why regular exercise helps a lot!...the body and mind are more inter-dependent than we think!
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#63Because I'm reading HN!
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#64There was a recent highly cited paper describing the concept of willpower as a measurable, physiological, depletable quantity, strongly affected by glucose levels: http://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/~lchang/material/Evolutionary/Bra... And there was a very interesting Metafilter thread from a few years ago that found that a small amount of alcohol overcame procrastination: http://ask.metafilter.com/22924/Why-does-alcohol-ove…
That research eventually turned into a great book: http://www.amazon.com/Willpower-Rediscovering-Greatest-Human...
Probably the most useful bit or research (also described much less technically in that book) is this:http://books.google.com/books?id=7CeE67IrVDUC&pg=PA130&#...
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#65Earlier quoted context omitted.
Unfortunately, on the of the most prominent side effects of amphetamines is tolerance and habituation, then a massive crash in the other direction that can last weeks or months when you stop taking it. I generally find stimulants take more out of me than they give.
yes..one way to avoid developing tolerance is to not use it regularly....in my case I try to alternate between periods of relaxation(lots of procrastination!) and intense work periods when I use 10 mg XRs on weekdays! Here is a very good quora thread on the long term effects http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-long-term-effects-of-Adder... Also nearly 3.3 million Americans age 19 and younger used an ADHD drug last year…
Adderall is a mixture of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is not all that different than methamphetamine - you don't have to look very far to find that long term use of amphetamines can be very dangerous.
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#66I find that generalizing in anything related to human intelligence is a mistake - there's just too many variables.
If I had to choose between 1 dollar now and 10 a year later, I'd choose $1 now. If the choice stood between $1 now and $10 a week later, I'd take the $10, since I wouldn't be waiting long and getting $1.40 for each day of waiting. I'm also one of those people who think days and weeks go by too damn fast (I know people who think time is flowing too slow and weeks are like ages to them).
Also, there are a lot of people who'll take Skyrim AND the ice cream NOW, simply because they can or because getting an A is not a priority (and any passing grade would do). I can't decide if that's a choice or just an impulsive action...
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#67Is the very first example really true? Would most people really take a dollar now over 10 dollars in a year? I wouldn't (except I need the money right now because otherwise I'd have to turn around, look for an ATM and come back later - which I don't thinks is implied here).
Apart form that I really like the post and the conclusion of the research. Still, I dislike the example and can't imagine this is true for a majority of people.
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#68An interesting video on procrastination from a chapter of the book 'You are not so smart' http://youtu.be/DJ2T4-rUUcs
That was an amazing hook and I feel like the book was talking exactly about me. It was actually very reassuring to know how normal I am. Not sure if you're associated with this book, but I think I'm sold.
Just to make it clear, I am not associated with the book in any way, but impulsively bought it on Amazon after seeing this video.
As I pore through subsequent chapters, it strikes a chord with me and is based on well researched psychological experiments conducted at various universities. It's worth a buy imho.
Re: Why do humans procrastinate?
#69There was a recent highly cited paper describing the concept of willpower as a measurable, physiological, depletable quantity, strongly affected by glucose levels: http://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/~lchang/material/Evolutionary/Bra... And there was a very interesting Metafilter thread from a few years ago that found that a small amount of alcohol overcame procrastination: http://ask.metafilter.com/22924/Why-does-alcohol-ove…
One drug that definitely doesn't help is cannabis. As a habitual smoker for over ten years I know this all too well. As of late I've started wondering whether the real damage of cannabis is not in it's health consequences but in it's ability to completely demotivate. As a complete coincidence I actually started writing a poem about this last night:
Procrastination was higher on my to-do list, Than achieving all the things that I otherwise wished. Aspiration blew motivation a farewell kiss, And said a sad goodbye, "you will be missed"