So, the article seems focused on apps that are claim to treat / address depression. There is a difference in practicing mindfulness for "general" stress managem

So, the article seems focused on apps that are claim to treat / address depression. There is a difference in practicing mindfulness for "general" stress management v/s trying to use meditation / mindfulness to treat psychological illnesses. A quick google [1,2] suggests there is some research emerging indicating that such apps can work. [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306453017304109 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030645301... [2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-014-9589-1 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-014-9589-1 (via the headspace website). I do not disagree with the central thesis of the article, i.e., the claims that many (most) of these apps make must be validated with clinical trials before they are allowed to make such claims; especially on issues such as depression & anxiety --> in effect, they are targeting the (potentially) desperate people looking for a solution But I think going from "these claims should be validated" to "none of these apps are useful; its all snakeoil. Take a book and do it on your own" is a bit of a leap. Meditation & mindfulness are personal experiences. Even the best book or coach that works for others may not work for me. Calibrating my expectations and systematically trying different approaches (books, coaches, apps) is probably the only way I (or anyone) can find a method that fits one's personality / mindset.