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Dopamine Fasting

nytimes.com

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Re: Dopamine Fasting

#71

Post by vorpalhex »

gordaco wrote: post #67
wccrawford wrote: post #64

Reading through this, it identifies something that I've seen a lot of people say is a problem, and suggests that the way to solve the problem is simply don't do it sometimes, on a schedule . While that may help, you've basically dedicated a portion of your life to not enjoying your life. Instead, I've taken a different tack. I've chosen to do those addictive things less, but instead of not-doing-fun-things, I do fun…

Honestly, staying away from "gacha" (and most, if not all, kinds of microtransactions) is just common sense at this point. I also try to do interesting things that are productive (studying certain topics, writing code, etc). I'd like to think that anyone can find a hobby like that (playing a musical instrument looks like could work for a lot of people, for example), although judging from some people I've met, maybe I…

Gachas at least always contain an item, and a real one at that - not to mention they always list all the possible contents ahead of time. Quite a bit better than microtransactions on most platforms.

Re: Dopamine Fasting

#73

Post by vorpalhex »

wccrawford wrote: post #64

Reading through this, it identifies something that I've seen a lot of people say is a problem, and suggests that the way to solve the problem is simply don't do it sometimes, on a schedule . While that may help, you've basically dedicated a portion of your life to not enjoying your life. Instead, I've taken a different tack. I've chosen to do those addictive things less, but instead of not-doing-fun-things, I do fun…

When I need to take a break, I try to do things that are different from my norm. Instead of coding all day and working with electronics, I might go for a nice hike and spend some time camping or in a cabin.

The goal maybe shouldn't be to have a day of isolation and no enjoyment, but instead taking time to find enjoyment in different ways.

(Though, this raises the question - is there some woodsman out there who might take a vacation from hiking and outdoors-ing by hiding inside with a laptop and some videogames?)

Re: Dopamine Fasting

#74

Post by bitexploder »

Cal Newport wrote an entire book around this called Digital Minimalism. I encourage folks to take a look. Taking an occasional break is good. Making technology actually work for you is better.

Re: Dopamine Fasting

#76

Post by watwut »

chrisweekly wrote: post #60
watwut wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Leading (helping, serving others) Helping and serving others is not leading at all. And leading is not helping and serving others.

If you're ever in a management position, I hope for your sake -- and your subordinates' -- you outgrow that notion.

You can be helping and serving without having any leadership impact or role. Completely. Overwhelming majority of people who help others or server others are not leaders. Helping and serving others will not put you into leadership position nor proves you are capable of leadership.

And while good leaders help on occasions, they are not serving not the bulk of that role does not consists of helping and serving.

Re: Dopamine Fasting

#77

Post by magic_beans »

basq wrote: post #42
fsiefken wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yes they are violating the recommendation of Dr. Sepah's proposal and make it into a purity trip, a meditation retreat in daily life. "You don't need to “do nothing” or meditate during a dopamine fast (unless you’d like to). Just engage in regular activities that reflect your values: - Health-Promoting (exercise, cooking) - Leading (helping, serving others) - Relating (talking, bonding over activities) - Learning (re…

This is something I came to slowly realize in the search for repairing my attention/depression issues. So far I've been getting good results. It started with giving up amphetamines (adderall, vyvanse), when that didn't do the trick, I removed alcohol and caffiene from my diet. The benefits I experienced led to stop smoking marijuana as well. That one was the toughest to give up, the anhedonia was torturous. It was li…

I don't know you, but I'm so happy for you. You have done such incredible work.

Re: Dopamine Fasting

#78

Post by spodek »

pluma wrote: post #68
goactualize wrote: post #11

Terribly biased hit piece on Silicon Valley, here is my rebuttal: https://medium.com/@DrSepah/why-the-media-lies-to-you-about-...

Just FYI, mocking the term "Toxic Masculinity" shows you either don't understand what it refers to or think those things are good, either of which makes me much less interested in anything else you might have to say because it sets a bad precedent. Toxic Masculinity does not mean being male is toxic (i.e. harmful). It refers to specific ideas about what it means to be male or how men should act that are toxic. Like n…

I've only seen it as a gendered slur used condescendingly to silence and shame men, as your post did.

Re: Dopamine Fasting

#79

Post by anbotero »

wccrawford wrote: post #64

Reading through this, it identifies something that I've seen a lot of people say is a problem, and suggests that the way to solve the problem is simply don't do it sometimes, on a schedule . While that may help, you've basically dedicated a portion of your life to not enjoying your life. Instead, I've taken a different tack. I've chosen to do those addictive things less, but instead of not-doing-fun-things, I do fun…

You expect too much from the same people that complains about the simplest of things.

Yours is the most down to earth approach to these issues. No need to look for an extreme, or fast solution (which I think is what drives these things; no data to back it up). Just some dedication and moderation.

I don’t really like exercising, yet I try to find excuses to walk to the supermarket or to work (half an hour). I don’t really like drinking, much less destroying myself in the process, yet I enjoy the moments I share with my friends and drink in moderation... but very few times there is no moderation, which is the beauty of it! (Please don’t drink too much, it’s quite stupid)

People these days it seems cannot live without being in an extreme. There is no middle ground; no possibility of it either.

Keep it up. Nothing like a good balanced approach to enjoying life.

Re: Dopamine Fasting

#80

Post by SketchySeaBeast »

ddorian43 wrote: post #58
CPLX wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do intense physical exercise, that’s the missing link in your plan. You’ve got basically all the other key parts in place.

Some martial art (a real one) like muay-thai (no need for fights) works really good for this.

I don't think there's a need to gate-keep exercise.
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