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Vladimir_Golovin comments on Rationalist Lent - Less Wrong Discussion

44 Post author: Qiaochu_Yuan 14 February 2013 06:32AM

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Comment author: Vladimir_Golovin 14 February 2013 12:38:22PM *  11 points [-]

Yes, I was a bit imprecise with "political". A better wording would be "I stopped consuming any newslike content except technical, professional and scientific news". So basically I excluded the entire remaining part of the spectrum. Sure, I occasionally get exposed to some political US-related content via tech news outlets, but these bits aren't nearly as toxic as Russian news, at least to me.

BTW, about 3 months before the above experiment I tried a complete disconnection from all dopamine loops I had in my life at that moment (i.e. all games, all social networks, all TV, all news, Reddit -- but not books). As I expected based on my previous off-the-grid vacations, I got an immediate, huge, steady productivity boost that lasted about 40 days, but I was pretty exhausted afterwards, so my current disconnection is not as extreme -- this time I allow myself some technical news and some gaming.

Comment author: Michelle_Z 15 February 2013 12:15:35AM 4 points [-]

I'm going to remove specific dopamine loops: particularly my habit of going on facebook to look at the nonsense my "friends" are posting, and I'll avoid clicking on my news tab more than once a day. I waste an alarming amount of time on it.

Comment author: Eugine_Nier 15 February 2013 03:53:44AM 2 points [-]

BTW, about 3 months before the above experiment I tried a complete disconnection from all dopamine loops I had in my life at that moment (i.e. all games, all social networks, all TV, all news, Reddit -- but not books). As I expected based on my previous off-the-grid vacations, I got an immediate, huge, steady productivity boost that lasted about 40 days, but I was pretty exhausted afterwards, so my current disconnection is not as extreme -- this time I allow myself some technical news and some gaming.

So, what are you doing here?

Comment author: Vladimir_Golovin 15 February 2013 08:19:41AM *  2 points [-]

Lurking and occasionally posting anecdata, as usual. The experiment you quoted above is no longer in effect, and LW mostly fits into my definition of "technical, professional and scientific news".

I don't think I'm ready to sustain a full abstinence for a period longer than two months, nor do I think it's a good idea in general. I'm working on finding the right balance, and I give myself a permission to suck in this regard.

But one thing is clear: I'm done with consuming politics and peoplenews for the rest of my life.

Comment author: Benito 14 February 2013 03:44:54PM 1 point [-]

Making plans to remove all dopamine loops now...