I think the immediate problem for most people isn’t akrasia, but straight up addiction to shiny screens. It’s not as harmful as other addictions though, apart from being time-consuming. And it’s hard to quit cold turkey because many jobs involve shiny screens as well. The only remedy is finding substitute activities that will make you happier. That depends on your tastes, so it makes sense that general advice has dried up (except “hit the gym” which is a good idea for everyone).
I think my own view is something like the a combination of this, and Qiaochu’s point. I’ve never found the tag “Akrasia” that helpful. I do think I often find myself working at cross purposes, but almost all of those times fall into the “shiny screen is addictive” category.
I think the immediate problem for most people isn’t akrasia, but straight up addiction to shiny screens. It’s not as harmful as other addictions though, apart from being time-consuming. And it’s hard to quit cold turkey because many jobs involve shiny screens as well. The only remedy is finding substitute activities that will make you happier. That depends on your tastes, so it makes sense that general advice has dried up (except “hit the gym” which is a good idea for everyone).
I’m going to think about this (he said, staring at his shiny screen).
I think my own view is something like the a combination of this, and Qiaochu’s point. I’ve never found the tag “Akrasia” that helpful. I do think I often find myself working at cross purposes, but almost all of those times fall into the “shiny screen is addictive” category.
Yep. Uninstalling Facebook messenger is more rational than reading yet another scientific article on hyperbolic discounting.