5 ms·

> Instead of having a strong urge to stop working whenever it got dark out Lots of us have the opposite urge! My theory is that darkness induces a combination

by nnq 7y ago

> Instead of having a strong urge to stop working whenever it got dark out Lots of us have the opposite urge! My theory is that darkness induces a combination of mild-depression and subliminal sort-of-pleasant fear that HELPS us ADD-iacs focus waaaay better especially on tasks like coding and debugging. PLEASE never use OPs conclusions when designing public spaces, this would kill the productivity of people like me!

dghughes 7y ago
> ...that HELPS us ADD-iacs focus waaaay better That's interesting since I too can only really focus at night or late evening. I knew someone with ADHD and I could see some glimpses of me in their behaviour.
- nnq 7y ago
  Not sure if it generalizes. And if it does, not sure if it does do all ADDs: I'm ADHD without the Hyperactive component, subclinical, ADD or (ADHD-PI or Inattentive-ADHD more precisely). Or with the H component purely mental/internal, which kind of sucks because you get the "benefits" of ADHD plus a higher propensity to slide into an unhealthy ultra-sedentary lifestyle.
  - dghughes 7y ago
    That too seems familiar. I'm not sure if I am hyper or not I used to be but I think I outgrew it finally but it took decades. The ultra-sedentary lifestyle seems very accurate. I make a plan for example study for my CCNA and here I am six month later finally doing it. This is with daily reminders to myself, set alarms, notes, collecting study material etc. not just thinking but some prep. And when I am in the zone I tend to overdo it often way too much detail. Brevity is not my forté. Self medicating with caffeine seemed to be working it would help me focus even during the day. But I think it contributed to my fatty liver I never had it before or after my energy drink addiction. Now it's one cup of coffee per day max.
    - nnq 7y ago
      then sharing what helped me a lot: (1) forcing yourself to do physical exercise: running + gym + ~ twice a month mountain hiking works for me, (2) drop ALL refined sugars (caffeine and other stuff can stay, even some alcohol, but NO SUGAR!) [after ~3 months of (1) + (2) your brain will be totally reshaped and waay better performing], (3) probably the most important: build external accountability - like in make sure there are friends/lovers/family/clients/employees/etc. that know about your goals like "study for my CCNA" and will shame you, hold you accountable or even sue you for failing to do what you said you'll do, (4) meditation (mindfulness) - it's important to get it that when you feel the absolute least inclined to meditate and you couldn't stand doing it is when you most actually need it and you'll get the biggest benefit from it, and (5) a general more "stoic" attitude of accepting that "life is pain" and of "learning to love the types of pain that lead to growth and development"... for me mostly the pain of forcing myself to finish stuff and to stay-on-track instead of goind sideways or starting something new again and again.

by nnq 7y ago

dghughes 7y ago

> ...that HELPS us ADD-iacs focus waaaay better That's interesting since I too can only really focus at night or late evening. I knew someone with ADHD and I could see some glimpses of me in their behaviour.

nnq 7y ago
Not sure if it generalizes. And if it does, not sure if it does do all ADDs: I'm ADHD without the Hyperactive component, subclinical, ADD or (ADHD-PI or Inattentive-ADHD more precisely). Or with the H component purely mental/internal, which kind of sucks because you get the "benefits" of ADHD plus a higher propensity to slide into an unhealthy ultra-sedentary lifestyle.
- dghughes 7y ago
  That too seems familiar. I'm not sure if I am hyper or not I used to be but I think I outgrew it finally but it took decades. The ultra-sedentary lifestyle seems very accurate. I make a plan for example study for my CCNA and here I am six month later finally doing it. This is with daily reminders to myself, set alarms, notes, collecting study material etc. not just thinking but some prep. And when I am in the zone I tend to overdo it often way too much detail. Brevity is not my forté. Self medicating with caffeine seemed to be working it would help me focus even during the day. But I think it contributed to my fatty liver I never had it before or after my energy drink addiction. Now it's one cup of coffee per day max.
  - nnq 7y ago
    then sharing what helped me a lot: (1) forcing yourself to do physical exercise: running + gym + ~ twice a month mountain hiking works for me, (2) drop ALL refined sugars (caffeine and other stuff can stay, even some alcohol, but NO SUGAR!) [after ~3 months of (1) + (2) your brain will be totally reshaped and waay better performing], (3) probably the most important: build external accountability - like in make sure there are friends/lovers/family/clients/employees/etc. that know about your goals like "study for my CCNA" and will shame you, hold you accountable or even sue you for failing to do what you said you'll do, (4) meditation (mindfulness) - it's important to get it that when you feel the absolute least inclined to meditate and you couldn't stand doing it is when you most actually need it and you'll get the biggest benefit from it, and (5) a general more "stoic" attitude of accepting that "life is pain" and of "learning to love the types of pain that lead to growth and development"... for me mostly the pain of forcing myself to finish stuff and to stay-on-track instead of goind sideways or starting something new again and again.