That's... not a good definition of persistent utility.
My pantry has quite a lot of persistent utility, but I'm reasonably sure I'm not addicted to it.
Edit:
>Didn't want to say anything about parent,
I apologize for my misreading.
>just pointing out that mentioned platform itself lack addictiveness to be considered a good (successful) social network.
I think that depends on the definition of successful. I quite like the idea of calm technology. I think it's possible to have a non-addictive social network which lets you socialize without feeling compelled to use it.
It wouldn't be for everyone, but wouldn't be for no one.
>Or is this one of the "feel good, we all should be using it" kind of stuff, where people force themselves to use it, because it's "right thing to do", but it feels more like a chore than joy, something like gym.
I don't think so. And it's possible to have something that is both - exercise, writing, sometimes reading fall into that category for me. Many things worth doing are not easy but far more rewarding and worthwhile in the long run.
Is it really that bad? It's plausible, but I'm skeptical.
Regardless, it is surely suboptimal. I wonder if there are more optimal approaches than "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" (my Mom's advice)....can you think of any?
Demean was too strong a word, I need to follow my own advice better :).
> Regardless, it is surely suboptimal. I wonder if there are more optimal approaches than "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" (my Mom's advice)....can you think of any?
The three gates[0] are what I try (and admittedly fail miserably) to implement, though not in their original form.
I generally try for "Is it true", "Is it useful", "Is it kind" - in that order of precedence if they can not all be met.
[0] Is it true, is it necessary, is it kind.
I would evaluate it thusly:
a) Is it true?
I would say: overwhelmingly.
b) Is it necessary?
In an absolute sense: no.
In a relative sense (say, if one has a specific goal in mind): Certainly maybe, but I would predict: Extremely Likely.
> Is it kind.
I suspect not. But then, I think HN'ers can have thick skin when required (say, if you are trying to optimize The System that we all live within).
If going to the gym feels more like a chore than a joy, then you may be doing it wrong, or inconsistently (some good coaching may help).
If you remember it, and used it a few years ago, but then forgot about it until some random HN post mentioned it, it's not something with persistent utility (addiction) to you.
EDIT: I see I got understood in a way I didn't intend to.
Didn't want to say anything about parent, just pointing out that mentioned platform itself lack addictiveness to be considered a good (successful) social network.
Or is this one of the "feel good, we all should be using it" kind of stuff, where people force themselves to use it, because it's "right thing to do", but it feels more like a chore than joy, something like gym.