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YouTube Addiction

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Re: YouTube Addiction

#231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pro pro tip: Creating content on the internet is not free and if a creator says you can watch their video in exchange for watching ads OR paying for premium, if you care about those creators you'll honor that request.

Big assumption that ad provider is acting ethically; almost never the case.

[deleted]

Re: YouTube Addiction

#232
post #223

I use YouTube for technical videos, and to gain other knowledge. And find the best signal to noise there than anywhere else on the internet. Occasionally, I give in to watch sports clips, movie trailers etc which is a decent short distraction. But do try to limit it, so the algo doesn't keep recommending those. Recently, Youtube is pushing it's "Shorts"(Short-form video) in it's own section that you cannot remove, wh…

I've been dabbling in making my own game on the evenings and weekends and youtube from that perspective is everything i wanted the internet to be. People sharing interesting knowledge and teaching each other things. It tries to ruin it with shorts and other low effort, usually 'creator' content, but if you're adamant about only seeing what you came for it's a wonderful tool.

Re: YouTube Addiction

#233

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good, people need to stop feeling bad about not always being productive.

No they don’t. It’s bad to be a workaholic sure, but the universe is an unforgiving place and we’re here only to be productive. This is a truth regardless of your metaphysical beliefs. What people need is to make sure they’re not being overly productive at one thing while letting other things drift away.

> we’re here only to be productive

The heat death of the universe will destroy anything you do with your life and will erase any possibility of it being recorded or remembered.

So… enjoy life. All you have is the current moment. Productivity - especially to enrich someone else - is a fool’s game.

Be as productive as you need to to enjoy life.

If you enjoy your work (I do) then do it because you enjoy it, not because it’s productive.

Re: YouTube Addiction

#234
I'm surprised that anyone is addicted to youtube, -- I can hardly ever find anything remotely interesting to watch on it. I've even missed recent USCSB videos because it's so pointless to even check whats on there.

Re: YouTube Addiction

#235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same. I also use it to fall asleep to. PBS Frontiline and Fall of Civilizations channel episodes keep me educated and catching zzzzz's most nights.

Frontline has such terrifying content! I couldn't imagine falling asleep to that. My choice would be David Attenborough narrated documentaries.

Listen to the Putin files with Kori Schake or Julia Ioffe or Masha Gessen. Put the volume low. They all have mom/bedtime story voices.

Re: YouTube Addiction

#236

I think YouTube cured my addiction to YouTube. It seems like every video recommended to me now has the same YouTube thumbnail face thumbnail. I hate it, and it makes me feel like I’ve already seen everything on YouTube, so there’s no point visiting.

I block any account that uses those sex-face thumbnails as soon as I see one. Makes the youtube front page less squicky.

Re: YouTube Addiction

#237

I am seriously addicted to the internet in general and while it may not be an addiction in the physical sense, it has caused major issues in my life. The amount of time I spend on the Internet is insane and no matter how hard I try to will power through it and cut down my usage I always fail. If I ever figure out how to overcome it I'll have to write a book or something, because I've wasted years of my life and misse…

I've struggled with this, probably not to the extent you have, but enough that I recognize my decisions over the last two decades hurt myself mentally, socially, and career wise. I've tried to quit various things and of course eventually return to old habits (quitting does help though, I encourage everyone to at least try).

The only method that really works for me is to have other constructive things I genuinely want to do. It's easier to avoid picking up the phone or getting on the computer (breaking the habit) if I'm thinking about X instead. That can be a hobby, a project, or even better a friend, relative, child. I don't want to sound like I'm saying, "just do this one trick." I know it's not easy and everyone is different.

The children's book Frog and Toad Together has a story about willpower called "Cookies". It sums up my experience pretty well. If you do write a book about what works for you, consider making it a children's book: I've gotten more comfort and understanding from those than anything else.

Re: YouTube Addiction

#238
post #223

I use YouTube for technical videos, and to gain other knowledge. And find the best signal to noise there than anywhere else on the internet. Occasionally, I give in to watch sports clips, movie trailers etc which is a decent short distraction. But do try to limit it, so the algo doesn't keep recommending those. Recently, Youtube is pushing it's "Shorts"(Short-form video) in it's own section that you cannot remove, wh…

you can use "distraction free YouTube"[0] to block the shorts pushing and recommendations in general. It's been really helpful for me to not fall into endless YouTube spirals.

[0] https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/df-youtube/

Re: YouTube Addiction

#239

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like you've worked out a system. How many addictions/unwanted behaviors did you manage to eradicate this way?

It helped me get off social media, and computer game addiction and a news site I didn't want to follow. I've used it successfully for alcohol too (but I was never a huge drinker). I also used it to try and promote good behaviours too

Does the desired behavior continue after the initial 28 day period? One problem I encountered when I tried to change my behavior using similar methods is that I don't know how strict I should be with myself. For example if I don't want to quit playing games entirely, and I'd like to enjoy the occasional game, I might set some soft limits, but that opens the door for a relapse in the future.

Or do you find that even temporary abstinence is worthwhile, even if the bad behavior comes back after some time?

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