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Go Gray, Not Cray: Why You Should Grayscale Your Phone

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Re: Go Gray, Not Cray: Why You Should Grayscale Your Phone

#61

Post by hn92726819 »

DANmode wrote: post #60
hn92726819 wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Disagree. "Just do it" works for some people. Not everyone. In my experience, I hated looking at a gray screen, so I just stop using my phone when it's in grayscale.

But they didn’t say “just do it” :) They said “spend effort ensuring other meaningful time-draws are around that are more fulfilling/less damaging”. Relevant excerpt: > the actual problem is finding meaningful activities to replace your empty screen time, which isn't necessarily easy.

That's true. I came off too dismissive. I like the advice, I was just disagreeing with:

> it’s clear to me why they rarely work: ...

and

> boring old discipline is much more sustainable approach

I like the idea of trying a more holistic approach, but grayscale doesn't have to contradict with that. Some people (myself included) can use grayscale as a tool alongside other things.

Re: Go Gray, Not Cray: Why You Should Grayscale Your Phone

#62

Post by BigGreenJorts »

polishdude20 wrote: post #45

What about a feature that randomized the app locations on your home screen every time you open it? That way, no muscle memory develops.

Did something like this and just got comfortable always using app search instead of icon selection

Re: Go Gray, Not Cray: Why You Should Grayscale Your Phone

#63

Post by polishdude20 »

BigGreenJorts wrote: post #62
polishdude20 wrote: post #45

What about a feature that randomized the app locations on your home screen every time you open it? That way, no muscle memory develops.

Did something like this and just got comfortable always using app search instead of icon selection

Foiled again!

Re: Go Gray, Not Cray: Why You Should Grayscale Your Phone

#64

Post by lostmsu »

shubhamjain wrote: post #37

I tried this. One week in, I got used to grayscale as well and my screen time was back to the baseline (maybe only marginally affected). After nearly a decade of trying these tricks, hacks, and gamified interventions, it’s clear to me why they rarely work: they fixate on the symptom (screen time, social media use) rather than the underlying problem. Your mind craves to feel engaged/challenged in something. So, the ac…

So, I haven't tried it yet, but grayscale was a part of my plan as well. The other part was reduced refresh rate (e.g. 4-8 Hz) to force reading-only.

Re: back to baseline. Are you sure you actually have a problem with your screen use? I feel like grayscale is mostly for people who can't stop Instagram scrolling/YouTube habits.

Re: Go Gray, Not Cray: Why You Should Grayscale Your Phone

#65

Post by lostmsu »

grim_io wrote: post #43

My theory is, that people who have the discipline to follow these weird self-imposed restrictions, don't actually need them. They can just follow through with the self-imposed restrictions on the actual problem. If you want to limit social media time, then limit your social media time. Can't? BW screen won't help you.

I was thinking to do that for my kid's phone.
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