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I've installed and uninstalled reddit maybe 7 times in the last year, and even when I don't have it installed I still visit it from my browser. For my Firefox

I've installed and uninstalled reddit maybe 7 times in the last year, and even when I don't have it installed I still visit it from my browser. For my Firefox desktop I have written 5 extensions that blocks websites in various ways so to help me control my bad urges, but even then I just open up safari and use it from there. Fact is just I can't control it, and I am willing to pay thousands of dollars for any solution that solves these problems without limiting the use of technology I actually want in my life.

bbx 7y ago
If you’re willing to spend thousands of dollars, book a 1-week trip to a slightly remote place where internet is hard or even impossible to get. Don’t bring your phone. Just money. The location doesn’t even have to be in the middle of the woods. Just a small town or village where there’s nothing much more to do than sightseeing and walking around and having a drink at the local bar/pub. A beach resort is also a nice option as you’ll have fun activities to fill your days. Of course a modern resort will have internet so the temptation will be harder to beat so maybe pick a tiny one. In any case, the idea is to have a physical disconnection with your phone/the internet so that you can’t satisfy any urge to check Reddit. The start will be rough but over time your fear of missing out will disappear. I find that if I spend time traveling or with family (where browsing reddit or similar is not easy) I realise when coming back home that I haven’t missed anything. I used to browse Reddit a lot. Nowadays I just check /r/soccer once in a while and spend time doing a lot more of other things (music, coding, reading, nothing).
- ADHDthrowaway9 7y ago
  Throwaway, because my professional profile is connected to my main: You just don't get it. Neither does anyone complaining about $350 for a brick. You're not the audience. This isn't for you. This is for the people that both; value their time ($350 is less than an hour of work and consequently it would take me more than an hour to properly lockdown my phone) and are looking for absolutely no room for distraction. I sympathize with the GP, becaue I am exactly like him. The basis for impulsivity is physiological. There is no pre-thought "Oh I want to do this, wait maybe I shouldn't" it's just a pure feeling that moves you to do. I have had many social media accounts, I've made and deleted them many times. I also have many browser extensions and hosts files to stop myself from visiting known runaway triggers. It's untenuable. Amphetamines/stimulants help, but the trade-offs are too great. A week-long retreat can "disconnect" you, but that doesn't mean anything when you come back and jump right back into it. I've gone so far as to buy a large amount of rural property, have a cabin with basic electricity, where I run a very barebones W500 OpenBSD ThinkPad with satellite internet (2Mbps/s). It can't do any kind of media processing (YouTube, movies, etc.). It is by far the most productive environment I have ever been in, and I paid for all of this, because that's what I value. I'm only posting this, because I impulsively turned off mt extensions and went into the HN rabbit hole.
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dangus 7y ago
I also mentioned that you could get a feature phone. Heck, a cellular Apple Watch could be purchased for cheaper than this phone, and it’s arguably a more convenient form factor. From what I’m reading it seems like this Light Phone is missing basics that you’d get in a standard flip phone.
- whywhywhywhy 7y ago
  Apple Watch is the antithesis of this device, it's a nightmare of constant notifications poked right against your wrist. After a few days with mine I had to disable almost all the smart functionality.

bbx 7y ago

If you’re willing to spend thousands of dollars, book a 1-week trip to a slightly remote place where internet is hard or even impossible to get. Don’t bring your phone. Just money. The location doesn’t even have to be in the middle of the woods. Just a small town or village where there’s nothing much more to do than sightseeing and walking around and having a drink at the local bar/pub. A beach resort is also a nice option as you’ll have fun activities to fill your days. Of course a modern resort will have internet so the temptation will be harder to beat so maybe pick a tiny one. In any case, the idea is to have a physical disconnection with your phone/the internet so that you can’t satisfy any urge to check Reddit. The start will be rough but over time your fear of missing out will disappear. I find that if I spend time traveling or with family (where browsing reddit or similar is not easy) I realise when coming back home that I haven’t missed anything. I used to browse Reddit a lot. Nowadays I just check /r/soccer once in a while and spend time doing a lot more of other things (music, coding, reading, nothing).

ADHDthrowaway9 7y ago
Throwaway, because my professional profile is connected to my main: You just don't get it. Neither does anyone complaining about $350 for a brick. You're not the audience. This isn't for you. This is for the people that both; value their time ($350 is less than an hour of work and consequently it would take me more than an hour to properly lockdown my phone) and are looking for absolutely no room for distraction. I sympathize with the GP, becaue I am exactly like him. The basis for impulsivity is physiological. There is no pre-thought "Oh I want to do this, wait maybe I shouldn't" it's just a pure feeling that moves you to do. I have had many social media accounts, I've made and deleted them many times. I also have many browser extensions and hosts files to stop myself from visiting known runaway triggers. It's untenuable. Amphetamines/stimulants help, but the trade-offs are too great. A week-long retreat can "disconnect" you, but that doesn't mean anything when you come back and jump right back into it. I've gone so far as to buy a large amount of rural property, have a cabin with basic electricity, where I run a very barebones W500 OpenBSD ThinkPad with satellite internet (2Mbps/s). It can't do any kind of media processing (YouTube, movies, etc.). It is by far the most productive environment I have ever been in, and I paid for all of this, because that's what I value. I'm only posting this, because I impulsively turned off mt extensions and went into the HN rabbit hole.
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dangus 7y ago

I also mentioned that you could get a feature phone. Heck, a cellular Apple Watch could be purchased for cheaper than this phone, and it’s arguably a more convenient form factor. From what I’m reading it seems like this Light Phone is missing basics that you’d get in a standard flip phone.

whywhywhywhy 7y ago
Apple Watch is the antithesis of this device, it's a nightmare of constant notifications poked right against your wrist. After a few days with mine I had to disable almost all the smart functionality.