61–70 of 130 posts
I'm not sure what the smoking gun is here. Usefulness and dependence are mostly interchangeable. I'm "addicted" to computers, indoor plumbing, headphones, entertainment, etc. The crime here seems to be that they used a wrong word - would it have been better if they used "snackable", "irresistible", "enthusiast", or "binge-worthy"?
I'm not sure what the smoking gun is here. Usefulness and dependence are mostly interchangeable. I'm "addicted" to computers, indoor plumbing, headphones, entertainment, etc. The crime here seems to be that they used a wrong word - would it have been better if they used "snackable", "irresistible", "enthusiast", or "binge-worthy"?
I'm not sure what the smoking gun is here. Usefulness and dependence are mostly interchangeable. I'm "addicted" to computers, indoor plumbing, headphones, entertainment, etc. The crime here seems to be that they used a wrong word - would it have been better if they used "snackable", "irresistible", "enthusiast", or "binge-worthy"?
This makes no sense. How are dependence and usefulness interchangable? There is some overlap, sure. But are you seriously claiming that there is no meaningful distinction between using headphones and using slot machines?
Something merely being addicting isn't enough for intervention. It's why nobody is bothered when coffee shops advertise the addictive nature of caffeine.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
This applies to any business that wants a repeat customer.
You’re implying there’s no distinction between addiction and use. And I think you’re excessive cynicism is just wrong in practical ways, I always buy my nails from Home Depot. I’m not addicted to nails. Home Depot does not reasonably think they can get me addicted to nails.
It's probably not the nails, but there's a reason people always stick with a particular hardware store.
(Also, I know that's a flip example, but there are absolutely brands of nails and screws I always get).
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think the most disturbing aspect of HN is how so many people seem to believe that anti-social behavior is rational. There is this weird dichotomy that you are either a money hungry behemoth or destitute out on the street. My company is a not-for-profit, we put our revenue back into the local community, our employees make a great living and we still have year over year growth.
Evidence that anti-social behavior is rational can be seen in all the successful anti-social people, like Elon, Donald, Jeffrey and William.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You’re implying there’s no distinction between addiction and use. And I think you’re excessive cynicism is just wrong in practical ways, I always buy my nails from Home Depot. I’m not addicted to nails. Home Depot does not reasonably think they can get me addicted to nails.
> I always buy my nails from Home Depot. It's probably not the nails, but there's a reason people always stick with a particular hardware store. (Also, I know that's a flip example, but there are absolutely brands of nails and screws I always get).
Addiction is a real thing with a real definition and real consequences and it’s not the same as love or admiration or even fanaticism.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's because your employer doesn't think they can ever be addictive.
No, it was because they weren't supposed to be. They were fulfilling an actual need and creating value in a way that wasn't intended to be addictive. And I was a co-founder of some of those orgs and products, so it wasn't about my employer. I know it's hard to believe that not every organization is sociopathic, because many are (the larger, the more likely to be). But not every one is.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I always buy my nails from Home Depot. It's probably not the nails, but there's a reason people always stick with a particular hardware store. (Also, I know that's a flip example, but there are absolutely brands of nails and screws I always get).
But do you go out and buy nails and screws just for fun when you’re not working on a hardware project? Do you think Home Depot’s marketing suggests you should be building day in and day out? That the average person should have five projects going at the same time and compulsively start a new project even when they’re not feeling like it? Addiction is a real thing with a real definition and real consequences and it’s…
You can say something is "addictive" without implying it's a substance abuse disorder.
When people at Microsoft say the goal of AI is to be addictive, they're clearly implying that they want their product to be habit forming in the same way that video games or food delivery is. And it's silly to imply Microsoft is trying to create physiological dependence.
It is "addictive" in the sense that it works really well, and has some guardrails so the risk of it doing something insane is minimized. I have done some cool stuff with it!