Body Doubling • Hacker News Board

Re: Body Doubling

#41

Post by Spivak » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:14 PM UTC

golemotron wrote: post #24

Remote office workers reinvent the office.

Not at all the same. At least not how offices are usually structured. It doesn’t work as well with groups which is why “just go work at the library” isn’t also a solution.

An office set up for body doubling would be pairs or small groups of people from completely different teams sharing an semi-isolated space.

Re: Body Doubling

#42

Post by klyrs » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:21 PM UTC

joombaga wrote: post #38

djbusby wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Batman?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman

No, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Pennyworth

Re: Body Doubling

#43

Post by kelseyfrog » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:24 PM UTC

ck2 wrote: post #25

I wonder if it's vaguely related to the evolutionary "fight or flight" response? I run way faster with other people than by myself based on that effect. It's definitely a mental/adrenal response.

I don't have ADHD as far as I know(which it seems is helpful to those folks), but I still use body doubling. My use of body doubling tends towards tasks that I have an negative emotional response or apprehension towards. For example, paying an unexpected bill, or making a difficult phone call, or writing an email to someone I don't like. You could say these situations are triggering in the sense that they trigger the fight or flight response and arranging to have someone in the same room during those tasks down regulates that response.

Re: Body Doubling

#44

Post by pmarreck » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:24 PM UTC

this might explain my I miss being in the office to get work done, and really loathe the switch to 100% remote

Re: Body Doubling

#45

Post by TedDoesntTalk » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:28 PM UTC

Ilasky wrote: post #5

Body doubling (or doing something with others around) is an awesome technique to overcome a motivational hurdle for activities. While the term originated in ADHD circles, it is definitely applicable to those outside of the ADHD community as well. We're actually building something just for this ( https://doubleapp.xyz ) and it can be for any sort of activity - cooking, running, working, studying, etc.

Very cool. I wish there was a “join now” group rather than scheduling?

Re: Body Doubling

#46

Post by apienx » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:30 PM UTC

There's probably some effect from the "commitment device" aspect (implicit as it may be).

Re: Body Doubling

#47

Post by c7b » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:33 PM UTC

Spivak wrote: post #32

c7b wrote: post #4

I read about influencers who basically stream themselves while studying, seems to be a similar idea with more even participation (and less likelihood of becoming internet-rich).

Even participation isn’t really a good unto itself. Most people can successfully body double to a stream or Youtube video and so one person can provide the “passive” service to millions of people. Having this kind of content plentiful and available 24/7 is really helpful.

You're presenting it as if there was something intrinsically better or more efficient about streaming, but the millions of people could also be matched in pairs or small groups. There would be a bit more friction, but also more personal touch.

Objectively, I think they're fairly similar. It really does come down whether you value even participation or the chance to participate in a lottery that will may propel a few individuals to stardom (and leave a lot more disappointed) more, which is ultimately subjective.

Re: Body Doubling

#48

Post by peacharonies » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:38 PM UTC

zach_garwood wrote: post #10

It's weird to me to call this "doubling" instead of "mirroring" but anyway, I'm not neurodivergent, but I've always found it nice to sit with someone else in silence, reading or studying. Its a very calming experience.

Mirroring has you copying the other's actions, thus performing the same task. Doubling allows each to work on their own separate tasks, from what I've understood.

Re: Body Doubling

#49

Post by varjag » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:39 PM UTC

I found that am super productive when travel by air, just sitting and working at the gate or mid flight. Now I wonder if that's the effect of all the people around.

Re: Body Doubling

#50

Post by Ilasky » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:42 PM UTC

TedDoesntTalk wrote: post #45

Ilasky wrote: post #5

Body doubling (or doing something with others around) is an awesome technique to overcome a motivational hurdle for activities. While the term originated in ADHD circles, it is definitely applicable to those outside of the ADHD community as well. We're actually building something just for this ( https://doubleapp.xyz ) and it can be for any sort of activity - cooking, running, working, studying, etc.

Very cool. I wish there was a “join now” group rather than scheduling?

Thanks! And for sure - on the top of the Double page we have Double communities you’re able to join right now instead of scheduling a Double for the future.