Show HN: Discipline.io – Make binding commitments to your better self

Hi HN,

It's super hard to quit addicting apps. Existing solutions are non-binding, and therefore, require constant self-discipline and vigilance to be effective. Which is ironic, considering the problem we are trying to solve, is a lack of self-discipline.

There exists a physical solution to this problem, in the form of a time-locked safe[1]. It’s effective for reducing app usage, but it's cumbersome and inconvenient.

Fundamentally, what these lock-boxes do is impose a real-world cost on breaking your commitment. It’s not impossible to break your commitment, but it would require destroying the lock-box, and that incurs a cost.

I created a digital version of this, as an app (Android-only). Commitment’s are backed with cash deposits, and the phone API’s are used to detect violations and enforce compliance. No self-reporting required. And it even works if the monitoring app is uninstalled, or its background service disabled.

An example commitment: Stop using Tinder, for the next week, or forfeit $20 to the Red Cross charity.

The solution also generalizes to other types of commitments:

  - Commit to using an app more (e.g. meditation)
  - Commit to visiting a location (e.g. gym)
  - Commit to making a phone call (e.g. mom)

It’s currently only available for Android, but I'm considering doing an IOS version as well. Hope you like it, and please share any feedback you might have in the comments!

[1]: https://www.thekitchensafe.com

Show HN: Discipline.io – Make binding commitments to your better self
discipline.io

Does it allow bitcoin lightning channels for commitments?

Its not a fool proof solution, but the hope is, it should significantly reduce the likelihood of breaking your commitments.

I was considering supporting anti-charities (e.g. NRA, DNC etc..), but I thought that was unnecessarily distracting.

The incumbent in this space is https://www.beeminder.com where the specific use case shown here about screen time can be configured with e.g. their RescueTime integration. Beeminder however just take your money for themselves as opposed to giving it to charity. They claim people would otherwise be more prone to giving up on their goals, thinking "oh well, the money is going to charity anyway so I'm doing a good thing by breaking my commitment". The opposite approach would be setting it up so the money goes to an organization whose goals you disagree with.

I do hear that. But it seems to me, having the company take the deposit creates perverse incentives, e.g. the company is basically betting on the user breaking their commitment.

A key difference also is, by requiring the deposit before resolving the commitment, it removes the escape hatch of just canceling your credit-card. It also generalizes to any app on the platform.

I was considering supporting anti-charities (e.g. NRA, DNC etc..), but I thought that was unnecessarily distracting.