5 ms·
> A book is a somewhat large time investment. Often it is worth it but often it isn't. But everyone has time for reddit/hn/facebook. Sometimes for hours at a d
by Konohamaru 6y ago
> A book is a somewhat large time investment. Often it is worth it but often it isn't.
But everyone has time for reddit/hn/facebook. Sometimes for hours at a day. :}
I posit that the real problem is that books (especially fiction novels) are engaging but not hypnotic. It's easy to scroll HN because it's literally hypnotic and thus no thinking required. That's why they're called newsFEEDs. You're being spoon-fed news. But books demand that you think, and you can't ignore previous plot developments without becoming disoriented.
If you want to read more books, the first three steps are to:
1. Admit you have a problem. The problem is NOT that you have a hard time reading but that you're hypnotized for hours a day.
2. Realize that total abstinence is the solution. If you had the willpower to restrict yourself to 30min a day, you wouldn't be here. You are one of those people too susceptible to hypnosis.
3. Don't punish yourself. Five minutes a day is far better than nothing. 10 minutes is better than five minutes, etc....
- abnercoimbre 6y agoYou certainly spoke to me in a blunt and frank manner, just like the username would suggest. Thanks!
- johnfn 6y agoHypnosis is a lovely metaphor to describe the not-quite-mindful state that I often browse HN in. I’ve been trying to think of a good way to frame that for a while - thanks!
- closeparen 6y ago>2. Realize that total abstinence is the solution. If you had the willpower to restrict yourself to 30min a day, you wouldn't be here. You are one of those people too susceptible to hypnosis. Unfortunately, people who have actually figured out how to do this are not here on the internet to tell you how.