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Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#22

Post by anteloper »

Gerard0 wrote: post #17

Serious question: are we sure we get a dopamine reward/thing when we do this? Has this been proven? Not saying this "addiction" does not exist. I like some "drugs" and smoke and my phone is by far the worst and hardest to manage/quit.

yes - more and more research is cropping up around the chemical response to social media usage but here's a particularly succinct paper - dopamine reward is absolutely associated.

https://www.iomcworld.org/open-access/neurotransmitter-dopam...

To Barrin's point, the jury is still out on formally qualifying this as "addiction" - and for most people the context of habit change is apt.

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#23

Post by martingalex2 »

It is wholly interesting that such a tool is needed. We need a new generation motivated by self-control and at an early age be critical of how technology triggers dopamine responses. I would be interested in seeing clinical classification of app addictions as a real health issue that deserves treatment. The real answer is to put down the phone. We (in this industry) are all complicit in the creation and promulgation of this problem.

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#26

Post by Aea »

Love the idea of interrupting the "dopamine loop" with a delay vs. simply tracking or restricting usage. I worked on creating a Chrome Extension several years ago for myself and I can't believe I didn't have this (in retrospect) obvious idea. I have a few concerns:

* The UI feels somewhat unpolished for asking me to purchase an annual plan on signup.

* I would prefer a free version that is fully featured for a short trial period that later reverts to a limited (one app) version. I have more than one problem app and it's hard to get a feel right now.

* Can I overlap schedules (i.e. open during lunch and any time during the weekend)?

* How do I set this up for something like YouTube? I have several modes of using this app: 1) mindlessly watching 5-10 minute videos looking for the next one, or 2) setting up a long playlist while I'm working out and treating it as a podcast app. I only want to prevent the former.

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#27

Post by breck »

My phone broke about a year ago and I never replaced it. That has made my life a lot better. More time to be in the moment with people and think. Highly recommend it.

(I have an iPad Pro as you still need something that can run apps, but there's no risk of me lugging that thing around)

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#28

Post by renewiltord »

My problem is that I use Chrome to check something reasonable and then find myself exiting this fugue state after I have made a dozen comments on various social media boards like HN or Reddit. When I've tried things that block browser before, they interrupt my normal work. That's frustrating so I disable them.

Without sophistication I am never going to use a piece of software that just blocks apps.

I hope your software is able to help people who have the problem but don't use the website version of things.

Re: Launch HN: Clearspace (YC W23) – Cut back on screen time

#29

Post by ttamslam »

breck wrote: post #27

My phone broke about a year ago and I never replaced it. That has made my life a lot better. More time to be in the moment with people and think. Highly recommend it. (I have an iPad Pro as you still need something that can run apps, but there's no risk of me lugging that thing around)

Did you replace it with a “dumb” phone for emergencies?
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