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I'm gonna be nitpicky here for a second, but Headspace played a key role in furthering my quest for more sustainable happiness (actually, it'd be my quest for l

I'm gonna be nitpicky here for a second, but Headspace played a key role in furthering my quest for more sustainable happiness (actually, it'd be my quest for less dissatisfaction). An app may not "make someone happy" but it just might facilitate the process in a very reasonable way.

ajkjk 10y ago
It's not about whether the app works, it's about the kind of person who would try to use an app for that purpose at all.
- iak8god 10y ago
  If the app works, then we're talking about the "kind of person" who has a goal, then identifies and uses a tool that works to achieve the goal.
  - mturmon 10y ago
    Yes, exactly, and that kind of analytical approach (i.e.: identify specific steps to "solve problem") is less common than some people, especially the kind of analytical people who comment on HN, think. Further, as commenters above have said, making an app a part of your problem solution is an even narrower funnel. Some people might just go straight to "make some new friends", "join a club", "get involved politically", or whatever.
    - trowawee 10y ago
      Meditate, see a therapist, exercise more, talk to a doctor...the mindset that says "I have a problem, I will search for an app to fix it" is vanishingly small, except within one thin demographic slice, where it is overwhelming.
fredley 10y ago
Another Headspace user seconding this. I wouldn't say it changed my life, but using it has certainly had an impact on my overall happiness.
madaxe_again 10y ago
Sure, I'm not saying it isn't the solution - just that you're going to end up with quite a particular self-selected demographic. Although personally I put more stead in human interaction to promulgate happiness than an app. :)
- Disruptive_Dave 10y ago
  Gotta jump on this opportunity. This specific app is designed to help a person explore his/her own mind through meditation. My belief is that more people should look within before looking externally (which is, as you say, "human interaction") to improve themselves and the world around them. The fundamental flaw in positioning "human interaction to promulgate happiness" is that you attach your happiness to things outside yourself. I say start with yourself and go from there. “All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”

ajkjk 10y ago

It's not about whether the app works, it's about the kind of person who would try to use an app for that purpose at all.

iak8god 10y ago
If the app works, then we're talking about the "kind of person" who has a goal, then identifies and uses a tool that works to achieve the goal.
- mturmon 10y ago
  Yes, exactly, and that kind of analytical approach (i.e.: identify specific steps to "solve problem") is less common than some people, especially the kind of analytical people who comment on HN, think. Further, as commenters above have said, making an app a part of your problem solution is an even narrower funnel. Some people might just go straight to "make some new friends", "join a club", "get involved politically", or whatever.
  - trowawee 10y ago
    Meditate, see a therapist, exercise more, talk to a doctor...the mindset that says "I have a problem, I will search for an app to fix it" is vanishingly small, except within one thin demographic slice, where it is overwhelming.

fredley 10y ago

Another Headspace user seconding this. I wouldn't say it changed my life, but using it has certainly had an impact on my overall happiness.

madaxe_again 10y ago

Sure, I'm not saying it isn't the solution - just that you're going to end up with quite a particular self-selected demographic. Although personally I put more stead in human interaction to promulgate happiness than an app. :)

Disruptive_Dave 10y ago
Gotta jump on this opportunity. This specific app is designed to help a person explore his/her own mind through meditation. My belief is that more people should look within before looking externally (which is, as you say, "human interaction") to improve themselves and the world around them. The fundamental flaw in positioning "human interaction to promulgate happiness" is that you attach your happiness to things outside yourself. I say start with yourself and go from there. “All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”