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YouTube addiction, one month sober

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Re: YouTube addiction, one month sober

#131

Post by teaearlgraycold »

srvaroa wrote: post #8

I haven't needed to be so drastic, but removed the YT app from my phone. There is a fair amount of good content that I find very worth consuming from YT (mainly educational videos) and would not like to miss. But, the mobile app makes a very strong effort to push you to shorts, which is the real danger. Shorts are proficiently engineered to just suck my brain into a doom scrolling comma. I tried removing shorts from…

If you disable watch history YouTube will not let you use Shorts, will disable the algorithmic home page suggestions, and you’re (maybe) robbing Google of another source of ads targeting information.

Re: YouTube addiction, one month sober

#134

Post by _xivi »

Once I was aware of the amount of psychology tactics that goes behind youtube channels, I've come to the realization that I'm not "chilling" while on Youtube, more like being targeted by psychopaths.

I heard MrBeast on a podcast (the flagrant) describing the formula they developed to manufacture `captivating` content, how they make multiple thumbnails and A/B tests which one is more engaging, and all the effort and psychology manipulation that goes behind the scene. It was a huge turn off.

I never watched MrBeast content personally but I've since noticed the same patterns implemented by 'Education' channels like Veritasium who I previously pictured as innocent & informal. They actively hunt and bray on you consuming their content.

Re: YouTube addiction, one month sober

#135

Post by davkan »

prometheus76 wrote: post #124
davkan wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you do for two hours before bed with no screen time? Read physical material? I'm not sure what I would do to wind down before bed besides reading or watching something. I do find that I need a similar amount of down time before bed after more engaging activities like going out or playing video games online. I usually try to read longer form articles or watch tv. I'm not sure what else I'd do around the house…

My wife and I have been playing chess, and I'm usually reading a light book of some kind between moves. We also usually have some relaxing music playing and not many lights on. We even turn all the lights off and just play chess using a kerosene lamp or candles. It's quite relaxing.

Honestly I can't think of many things that would keep me up and engaged much more than chess. But I only play online rapid matches, I could see it being more relaxing playing with a loved one by candlelight.

Re: YouTube addiction, one month sober

#136

Post by 331c8c71 »

Aurornis wrote: post #64
data_ders wrote: post #11

I’m so addicted to the internet that when I block social media, I find I get quite the similar fix from work Slack. Like browsing channels I have no business being a part of and constantly checking for validation of my comments via emoji reactions. Does anyone know of ways to be a successful work-from-home knowledge worker while also locking down Slack to not be another slot machine?? Does anyone else feel conflicted…

You won't get very far by only playing whack-a-mole with negative behaviors. You have to start introducing deliberate, positive behaviors. Structure your home, workspace, and workday around what you choose to be doing. The little tricks to limit things and set timers can help, but the root problem is that you're describing yourself as being on autopilot: You get magnetically pulled to the next time waster. Work on be…

I think the site and app blockers, timers etc. can be very helpful in the transition and in forming/keeping better habits. But those are just _tools_ and not the _goals_ so I agree hundred percent with your main message.

Re: YouTube addiction, one month sober

#138

Post by pxc »

autoexec wrote: post #79
pxc wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

NewPipe lets you watch shorts but completely lacks the shorts-type UI, so it's not addictive. Also has no ads and lets you play things in the background or with the phone screen off.

having recommendations and auto-play disabled is great too. I only see youtube videos that I choose to see and never see anything else unless I'm searching for something

Plus you can still 'subscribe' to channels you like without even logging in!

Re: YouTube addiction, one month sober

#139

Post by nomius10 »

alphazard wrote: post #76

The problem I see with YouTube is that I always start on low-regret content like lectures, or a news clip about a current event I want a summary of. Or a video that a friend said was funny (that's good signal). But then rather than recommending more content along the same lines (which I would probably bookmark but not be encouraged to click), there is a short low quality video that somehow slides under the radar of "…

I highly recommend the Unhook extension. It's highly customizable, and personally I have it set to remove all recommendations. Sometimes I also disable the comments.

It's been a year since I've used it, and I definitely see an improvement as the platform is no longer pushing content down to me, but at times I find myself frantically searching channels I used to watch, to see if there is a new video since I last checked. I only remember a dozen at most, way fewer than the ~100 channels I was subscribed to.

Overall an improvement, but I don't consider myself cured.

Re: YouTube addiction, one month sober

#140

Post by jjulius »

alienicecream wrote: post #130

Avoiding clickbait is easy, you just need to realize that some scumbag is trying to get you click on their trash so they can make money. So why would you do it?

>Avoiding [addictive thing] is easy, you just...

That is not a true statement for an addict. What's easy to you may be complicated for an addict. Addiction is not necessarily straightforward.

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