BrandonReinhart comments on Anti-akrasia tool: like stickK.com for data nerds - LessWrong
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Wow, thanks, Alicorn! That just made my much more convoluted reply moot. :)
One more way to possibly mitigate the incentive problem:
http://beeminder.uservoice.com/forums/3011-general/suggestions/2281088-choose-your-own-incentives-have-an-option-to-pay-
...which is also crazy for a business. Bear in mind that there is a reason that bookies offer 50-to-1 odds on people meeting their weight loss goals.
"Pay if I meet my goal" makes no sense economically or motivationally. It only sounds good to people who don't want to risk anything. If you want to do a non-punishing version, or let people use their own incentives when they fail, just charge a per-goal fee up front, or a time-based fee.
Hm, 50-to-1 is a bit of an exaggeration? It says "up to 50-to-1", and in the same paragraph, "bettors lose 80 percent of the time". Your point besides that stands, though.
What about some loose social pressure around that?
Like, a special donors list of "kept on track for 6 months and then donated", or merch you can buy after so long without slipping, or something... Make it an achievement, and let people pay for extra recognition of it.