Body doubling utilizes the presence of another person, either virtually or in-person, to enhance focus and productivity, particularly for tasks that individuals find challenging to initiate or complete independently. This technique leverages accountability and shared work sessions to combat procrastination and maintain motivation, particularly beneficial for those with ADHD, autism, or other conditions impacting executive function. The website, BodyDoubling.com, offers resources and a platform to connect with others for body doubling sessions, highlighting its effectiveness in overcoming procrastination and fostering a sense of shared purpose while working towards individual goals.
The author describes creating a DNS sinkhole using an ESP32 microcontroller to combat doomscrolling. By intercepting DNS requests on their local network and redirecting specific domains (like social media sites) to a local web server, they effectively block access to these sites. The ESP32 runs a custom DNS server that returns a pre-defined IP address for targeted domains, leading devices to a blank webpage hosted on the ESP32 itself. This allows the author to curtail time spent on distracting websites without relying on browser extensions or more complex network configurations.
Hacker News users generally praised the project's simplicity and effectiveness for blocking distracting websites. Several commenters suggested improvements, such as using a pre-built DNS sinkhole list or implementing a local DNS server for better performance. Some discussed the ethics and potential downsides of blocking websites, particularly for families or in situations where access is necessary. Others offered alternative solutions, like using Pi-hole or modifying the hosts file. A few pointed out potential issues with the ESP32's limited resources and the importance of using a reliable power supply. The overall sentiment was positive, viewing the project as a clever, albeit somewhat limited, solution to a common problem.
Calendar.txt outlines a simple, universal calendar format based on plain text. Each line represents a day, formatted as YYYY-MM-DD followed by optional event descriptions separated by tabs. This minimalist approach allows for easy creation, parsing, and manipulation by any text editor or scripting tool, promoting interoperability across diverse platforms and applications. The post emphasizes the benefits of this format's portability, version control friendliness, and longevity, contrasting it with proprietary calendar systems that often lock users into specific software or data formats. The suggested structure allows for complex recurring events and to-do lists with simple extensions, making it adaptable to various scheduling needs.
Hacker News users discuss the minimalist approach of calendar.txt, appreciating its simplicity and portability. Some highlight its alignment with the Unix philosophy of doing one thing well. Others suggest improvements like adding support for recurring events or integration with other tools. A few users express skepticism, finding the plain text format too limiting for practical use, while others champion its accessibility and ease of parsing. The discussion also touches upon alternative calendar solutions and the benefits of plain text for archiving and data longevity. Several commenters share their personal workflows incorporating plain text files for task management and scheduling.
Frustrated with excessive phone use, the creator developed "Touch Grass," an Android app designed to encourage breaks from screen time. The app uses GPS to confirm the user is physically outside and then starts a timer. Only after spending a user-defined amount of time outdoors will the app grant access to blocked apps, effectively locking the user out until they've "touched grass." This gamified approach aims to promote healthier digital habits and reconnect users with the real world.
Hacker News commenters generally found the "touch grass" app amusing, but impractical. Several questioned the effectiveness of physically touching grass through a phone screen, noting the inherent irony and missing the point of the idiom. Some suggested improvements like requiring a photo of actual grass or GPS verification of being outdoors. Others highlighted the performative nature of the app, comparing it to other avoidance techniques. A few commenters appreciated the humor and simple execution, viewing it as a lighthearted take on the problem of doomscrolling. Some pointed out the potential for addictive gamification of "touching grass" itself. Overall, the consensus leaned towards the app being a fun, albeit slightly absurd, commentary on internet overuse rather than a serious solution.
Accelerated career growth comes from seeking out high-growth environments, even if it means sacrificing comfort and stability. These environments offer a rapid accumulation of diverse experiences, increased responsibilities, and exposure to a wider range of challenges. This condensed timeframe for learning equates to years of experience gained in traditional settings. While demanding, embracing these opportunities allows individuals to level up their skills, expand their network, and achieve significant career progression much faster. This rapid growth often involves joining early-stage companies or taking on new roles in fast-moving sectors, requiring a proactive approach and a willingness to learn and adapt quickly.
HN commenters largely agree with the author's premise that intense, focused work on challenging projects can accelerate professional growth. Several share personal anecdotes echoing the author's experience, describing rapid skill acquisition through dedicated projects or periods of intense learning. Some caution against burnout and emphasize the importance of deliberate practice and mentorship alongside hard work. A few commenters note that this type of accelerated growth is more common in certain fields like software development, where rapid iteration and readily available feedback loops facilitate faster learning. There's also discussion about the role of luck and being in the right place at the right time, with some arguing that while hard work is essential, opportunity plays a significant role.
This blog post details how to create and manage recurring checklists within Emacs' Org Mode. It leverages the SCHEDULED and STYLE properties of list items to automate the reappearance of tasks at specified intervals. The author demonstrates how to define a daily checklist template, schedule its repetition daily, and configure it to reset each morning, ready for a new day's checking. Furthermore, it explores more complex scenarios, including using timestamps to track completion history and adding specific scheduling keywords for more nuanced control over recurrence, like excluding weekends. The post also briefly covers handling checklist items that don't need daily resetting.
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear explanation of using Org Mode for recurring tasks. Several commenters shared their own workflows and modifications, including using the org-super-agenda package, scripting with elisp for more complex recurring tasks, and integrating with mobile apps like Orgzly. Some pointed out potential limitations of the author's approach, suggesting alternatives like dynamic blocks for greater flexibility. The discussion also touched on broader Org Mode features, such as capturing tasks and agenda views. A few users highlighted the steep learning curve of Emacs and Org Mode but affirmed their power once mastered.
Ocal is an AI-powered calendar app designed to intelligently schedule assignments and tasks. It analyzes your existing calendar and to-do list, understanding deadlines and estimated time requirements, then automatically allocates time slots for optimal productivity. Ocal aims to minimize procrastination and optimize your schedule by suggesting realistic time blocks for each task, allowing you to focus on the work itself rather than the planning. It integrates with existing calendar platforms and offers a streamlined interface for managing your commitments.
HN users generally expressed skepticism about Ocal's claimed ability to automatically schedule tasks. Some doubted the AI's capability to understand task dependencies and individual work styles, while others questioned its handling of unexpected events or changes in priorities. Several commenters pointed out that existing calendar applications already offer similar features, albeit without AI, suggesting that Ocal's value proposition isn't clear. There was also concern about privacy and the potential need to grant the app access to sensitive calendar data. A few users expressed interest in trying the product, but the overall sentiment leaned towards cautious skepticism.
Daily-notes.nvim is a Neovim plugin designed for effortless time-based journaling and planning. It enables users to quickly create and access daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly notes based on the current date, using fuzzy finding for easy navigation. The plugin supports custom date formats, integrates with the Telescope fuzzy finder, and offers features like opening notes for specific dates or creating notes if they don't exist. It aims to provide a streamlined and efficient workflow for maintaining a structured journal or planner within Neovim.
Hacker News users generally praised the daily-notes.nvim plugin for its simplicity and speed compared to alternatives like Obsidian. Several commenters appreciated its integration with Telescope.nvim for fuzzy finding. Some suggested improvements, including the ability to specify a custom date format and integration with the calendar.vim plugin. One commenter pointed out the potential benefit of using a simpler file naming convention for improved compatibility with other tools. Another user mentioned using a similar setup with plain Vim and expressed interest in trying the plugin. There was some discussion on the benefits of plain text notes versus a database-driven system, with proponents of plain text highlighting its flexibility and longevity.
The author embarked on a seemingly simple afternoon coding project: creating a basic Mastodon bot. They decided to leverage an LLM (Large Language Model) for assistance, expecting quick results. Instead, the LLM-generated code was riddled with subtle yet significant errors, leading to an unexpectedly prolonged debugging process. Four days later, the author was still wrestling with obscure issues like OAuth signature mismatches and library incompatibilities, ironically spending far more time troubleshooting the AI-generated code than they would have writing it from scratch. The experience highlighted the deceptive nature of LLM-produced code, which can appear correct at first glance but ultimately require significant developer effort to become functional. The author learned a valuable lesson about the limitations of current LLMs and the importance of carefully reviewing and understanding their output.
HN commenters generally express amusement and sympathy for the author's predicament, caught in an ever-expanding project due to trusting an LLM's overly optimistic estimations. Several note the seductive nature of LLMs for rapid prototyping and the tendency to underestimate the complexity of seemingly simple tasks, especially when integrating with existing systems. Some comments highlight the importance of skepticism towards LLM output and the need for careful planning and scoping, even for small projects. Others discuss the rabbit hole effect of adding "just one more feature," a phenomenon exacerbated by the ease with which LLMs can generate code for these additions. The author's transparency and humorous self-deprecation are also appreciated.
Mastering the art of saying "no" as a product manager is crucial for focusing on impactful work and avoiding feature creep. It involves strategically prioritizing tasks, aligning with overall product vision, and gracefully declining requests that don't contribute to that vision. This requires clear communication, explaining the rationale behind decisions, and offering alternative solutions when possible. Ultimately, saying "no" effectively allows product managers to protect their roadmap, manage stakeholder expectations, and deliver a more valuable product.
HN commenters largely agree with the article's premise of strategically saying "no" as a product manager. Several share personal anecdotes reinforcing the importance of protecting engineering resources and focusing on core value propositions. Some discuss the nuances of saying "no," emphasizing the need to explain the reasoning clearly and offer alternative solutions where possible. A few commenters caution against overusing "no," highlighting the importance of maintaining positive relationships and remaining open to new ideas. The most compelling comments focus on the strategic framing of "no" as a tool for prioritization and resource allocation, not simply rejection. They emphasize using data and clear communication to justify decisions and build consensus. One commenter aptly summarizes this as "saying 'no' to the idea, but 'yes' to the person."
Summary of Comments ( 9 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43257927
Hacker News users discussed the effectiveness of body doubling, with many sharing personal anecdotes of its benefits for focus and productivity, especially for those with ADHD. Some highlighted the accountability and subtle social pressure as key drivers, while others emphasized the reduction of procrastination and feeling less alone in tackling tasks. A few skeptical commenters questioned the long-term viability and potential for dependency, suggesting it might be a crutch rather than a solution. The discussion also touched upon virtual body doubling tools and the importance of finding a compatible partner, along with the potential for it to evolve into co-working. Some users drew parallels to other productivity techniques like the Pomodoro method, and there was a brief debate about the distinction between body doubling and simply working in the same space.
The Hacker News post titled "Body Doubling" with the ID 43257927 generated a significant discussion with a variety of perspectives on the practice. Several commenters shared personal anecdotes about the effectiveness of body doubling, highlighting its utility for tackling procrastination and maintaining focus. One user described using Focusmate, a platform designed for virtual body doubling, and praised its structured approach. They emphasized how the scheduled sessions and the presence of another person create accountability and help them overcome inertia. This sentiment was echoed by another commenter who mentioned using a similar service and finding it beneficial for staying on task.
The discussion also delved into the underlying reasons for body doubling's efficacy. Some users speculated that it combats feelings of isolation and provides a sense of shared purpose, making tasks feel less daunting. The simple presence of another person, even virtually, can create a sense of camaraderie and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. This social aspect was highlighted as a key factor contributing to increased motivation and productivity.
However, not all comments were entirely positive. Some users expressed skepticism, questioning whether the benefits were genuine or simply a placebo effect. They suggested that the structure and accountability could be achieved through other means, such as setting personal timers or using productivity apps. One commenter argued that body doubling might become a crutch, hindering the development of self-discipline and independent work habits.
Another thread of the conversation focused on the potential drawbacks and limitations of body doubling. Some users pointed out that finding a suitable body double, whether in person or virtually, can be challenging. Scheduling conflicts and personality clashes could make the experience less effective. The cost of using dedicated body doubling platforms was also mentioned as a potential barrier for some individuals.
Finally, the discussion touched upon the broader implications of body doubling and its relevance to remote work. Some users suggested that it could be a valuable tool for combating the isolation and distractions that often accompany working from home. The structured nature of body doubling sessions could help individuals maintain a sense of routine and improve focus in a remote work environment.
In conclusion, the comments on the Hacker News post present a nuanced view of body doubling, acknowledging its potential benefits while also raising valid concerns about its practicality and long-term effectiveness. The experiences shared by users offer valuable insights into the diverse ways in which body doubling can be implemented and the potential challenges that may arise.