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I'm an addict

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Re: I'm an addict

#71

Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…

The problem I have with religion is the focus on "removing the doubt", which I strongly disagree with - doubting a god's existance is a major no-no in most popular religions. And as soon as you remove the doubt ban, you don't really have a religion anymore, but a philosophy. So I'd personally recommend philosophy to people, instead of religion. Bertrand Russell (also known for his mathematical work) is an excellent p…

That's only true on the folk-religion side of things. I can't speak to other faiths, but serious Christian thought has always engaged with doubt.

Re: I'm an addict

#72
post #52

Consider talking to a doctor about ADD? (Alternatively, get some Adderall somewhere and experiment.) Executive control is a distinct mental capability.

Please don't ever again recommend to someone with problems randomly that they should "get some amphetamine somewhere and experiment". Okay?

What do you mean, these pills that make my kids suddenly have A grades and fun to hang out with are not risk free??

Re: I'm an addict

#73

Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…

> Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists Any sources that will back this claim? Oh wait, you don't need facts. Do you give this sort of unsolicited religious advice to everyone or do you specifically choose people who are troubled?

Unnecessarily aggressive and rude. This just reads like you feel superior to religious people

Re: I'm an addict

#74

Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…

I’m sure I’ve read a few dozen of the same old AA debates on HN, but, yeah it worked for my old man. AA, in particular the serenity prayer, has at least some overlap with the more tech friendly pursuit of Stoic philosophy. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Quoted in Robert Sapolsky's book "Why Zebra don't get ulcers" on stress (highly recommended).

It's a nice quote because it is a bit more interesting than common popular wisdom that exists across humanity and in all religions simply telling you : "Accept what you cannot change"

That is often elided even more by "Accept your situation" or even "Obey" providing great convenience to the powers that be.

Re: I'm an addict

#75

Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…

The problem I have with religion is the focus on "removing the doubt", which I strongly disagree with - doubting a god's existance is a major no-no in most popular religions. And as soon as you remove the doubt ban, you don't really have a religion anymore, but a philosophy. So I'd personally recommend philosophy to people, instead of religion. Bertrand Russell (also known for his mathematical work) is an excellent p…

Religion is a modern word. Religious people did not refer to them as religious before. It was all part of life itself.

Re: I'm an addict

#76
"besides blanket ban on all things video..."

Yes, start with that. Disable animation and auto-play in any browsers you use. And only use browsers to consume content. This worked for me, and now I can't stand video or animations.

Re: I'm an addict

#77

Knowing that HN is generally against it, I say it anyway: I recommend religion and religious teachings which address this and many other daily worldly issues perfectly. Christianity and Judaism both have excellent resources. Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists but are generally dismissed by non-believers. Edit: for those asking for specific recommendations. It’s always best to find your own p…

Yikes

Re: I'm an addict

#78
I've been thinking more about addiction recently and how it affects us more than most people think. When most people think addiction they think of drugs. So, of course, they are not an addict.

But I believe we all are addicts to some degree and, at the very least, have the potential to become addicted to things.

Things I have been addicted to, in no particular order:

- Alcohol. No I wasn't an "alcoholic", but I continued to drink alcohol even though I knew it made me feel worse the next day etc. This one is very common.

- Cannabis. It turned me into a recluse and perpetuated a downward spiral into depression.

- Food. I became obese and thoroughly unfit due to my eating habits.

- Porn. It affected my real sex life which made me and my partner feel bad.

- Sex. I spent far too much of my time pursuing sex with multiple partners, broke many hearts and burnt many bridges along the way.

- Youtube (and previously TV). I watched it every night in bed and it caused me to have terrible sleep.

I'm not sure why so little attention is given to addiction. Obesity should simply be framed as food addiction. Nobody wants to be obese. It's uncomfortable, inconvenient, embarrassing. They all want to "lose weight". They can't because they are addicted to food. Making that clear would probably help people deal with it. It has certainly helped me in many cases to understand that I'm addicted to something.

Re: I'm an addict

#79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Religious scholars have actually been the best psychologists Any sources that will back this claim? Oh wait, you don't need facts. Do you give this sort of unsolicited religious advice to everyone or do you specifically choose people who are troubled?

Weird approach to attack the substance of this sentence, since psychology is the most vague of sciences.

There's no substance in the sentence I quoted. That's what I pointed out. I haven't expressed any opinions regarding psychology.

> since psychology is the most vague of sciences

But since you make this claim, we can talk about it. So what's your advice? See religious scholars instead of board certified psychologists?

Re: I'm an addict

#80

It could be a symptom of a persistent depression disorder, it is for me. EDIT: I've been blocked from replying Because lack of ability to concentrate, lack of motivation, and engaging in repetitive behaviour because it's the only thing that makes you not bored, are all symptoms of it

Could you elaborate a bit on what makes you think that what's it could be ?
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