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PG: Disconnecting Distraction

paulgraham.com

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Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#121

Post by andreyf »

rms wrote: post #64
noahlt wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> then I quit [whatever] because I got addicted to computer websites. I suspect that's where most people reading this site are.

It's a solid step up from WoW.

This is the thing that nobody seems to have mentioned - both about WoW and HN: they're very different from watching TV. They're both inherently social, for example.

HN is much more akin to what sports fans do at sports bars (but asynchronous and otherwise more efficient). How much time is "too much time" to spend here depends on what else is going on in your life, but it's definitely not something to shun altogether (like cable TV).

WoW is also very different from TV - I haven't played since high school, but I remember it requiring quite a bit of interpersonal skill to organize and lead 40-man raids: settling people's personal issues, coordinating teams, etc. Maybe I romanticized it (as I did most things in high school), but I'd imagine that the kind of teamwork one learns from being in a large guild doing end-game raids comes in really useful in any organization.

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#122

Post by gommm »

anirbas wrote: post #57
noahlt wrote: post #43

That's fine if you're PG and you write all the software yourself, but what if you're using a web framework or other open-source tools and need the web to access documentation or ask questions?

How about downloading the documentation to your work computer and using that local copy? If the docs fail, you can use the other computer to ask questions.

And I found that with google and irc I became lazy. Instead of just looking at the code of the framework to understand it when I have a problem (which is good for improving myself as a programmer), I just do a quick search on google or irc hoping that someone gives me an answer...

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#123

Post by linhares »

ChaitanyaSai wrote: post #34

This is a bit tangential: Every start-up that YC funds is potentially worth an essay. Isn't that why they are funded? They solve a problem that nags many. So I am not surprised to see Rescue Time linked in there (The title itself is a sure bet that it would). However, given the wide reach of pg's articles (beyond news.YC), should the link merit a disclosure? There's a fuzzy notion of when that needs to be done and I…

You are right on spot. PG really should update with full disclosure. I didn't click on the link, and it crossed my mind that it could be that Dilbertesque piece of software, but PG's credibility with me made me discredit the thought. This is an obviously blatant conflict of interest... isn't it supposed to be just an "essay"?

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#124

Post by mace »

I think procrastination and distractions are very much related. When I procrastinate I usually find ways to distract myself with unproductive activities. Unfortunately, unplugging myself from the web is not practical for me.

One of the best techniques I've found to reduce procrastination and thus distractions is making lists. Lists work for me because I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I finish something on the list(even if it's the smallest thing.) I've found lists really helpful for decomposing complex tasks too.

Another technique I've been using more of lately is to prioritize a very small task to do the next time I sit down to work. Smaller tasks are less daunting and I tend to do them quickly to get them out of the way. This prevents me from starting my day with any distracting activity (ex. checking email, reading news etc.)

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#125

Post by xcombinator »

There is a book called "be the pack leader" of Cesar Vidal. It talks about the strange things dogs do because of their alien environment. We are not designed for working 8 hours a day only.

when I'm working that way I need distractions, because I need to talk with people, I need to exercise, I need to go out.

When I'm on vacations I need to work. It's an equilibrium.

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#126

Post by maxklein »

technoguyrob wrote: post #95
maxklein wrote: post #9

An alternative is this: What I do (using my super secret self designed software) is that I monitor my usage of the internet, and for every hour firefox is open, I send $10 to my credit card account. So while I procrastinate, I lose cash money but repay my debts.

Can't you use RescueTime?

RescueTime is not a sticky app. You can install it and forget about it completly. Sending money out of my account is something that I see everytime I open my bank account.

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#127

Post by maxklein »

xenoterracide wrote: post #114
maxklein wrote: post #9

An alternative is this: What I do (using my super secret self designed software) is that I monitor my usage of the internet, and for every hour firefox is open, I send $10 to my credit card account. So while I procrastinate, I lose cash money but repay my debts.

I'm not sure whether you are rewarding or punishing yourself.

I'm just making myself aware that in spending time on these sites, I'm taking away from my on-hand cash and moving it to a location that it will be difficult to extract from. So I'm doubling the loss involved in procrastinating.

The loss is just a short term loss with a longer term profit, but being the animals we are, the short term profit overweighs the long term profit, so I tend to keep this in balance.

Also, if I procrastinate a bit, but them work very effectively, I will earn money to cover for what I lost earlier. So it balances out.

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#128

Post by SwellJoe »

mattmaroon wrote: post #106
SwellJoe wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"mainly people who want YC to endorse their start-up" You're wrong on this count. Many folks here have already had YC "endorse" their startup, and so stand to gain nothing by being the hottest nerd on Hacker News.

Many don't even have a startup.

So tonight thank God it's them, instead of you.

Re: PG: Disconnecting Distraction

#129

Post by bloch »

maxklein wrote: post #9

An alternative is this: What I do (using my super secret self designed software) is that I monitor my usage of the internet, and for every hour firefox is open, I send $10 to my credit card account. So while I procrastinate, I lose cash money but repay my debts.

Perhaps people without your super secret self designed software could use http://www.stickk.com/ for something similar.
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