hightechlowlife

"To challenge and to cope with this paradoxical state of things, we need a paradoxical way of thinking; since the world drifts into delirium, we must adopt a delirious point of view. We must no longer assume any principle of truth, of causality, or any discursive norm."

Great idea, Baudrillard. Reality has become confusing, therefore, let's act like retards.

I don't really have a problem with the article. It's a reasonable reduction, although I think paleolithic/low-carb diets are unrealistic if you stick to "mostly plants". Plant-based diets typically rely on grains -- when you remove this, it's very difficult to replace them without introducing more meat.

However, I think the more pressing issue is, even if we knew the perfect diet, it doesn't mean people want to eat it. Even if someone wants to eat a healthy diet, it doesn't mean they can make themselves eat it.

Self-control is a limited resource, and when overly prevalent junk food decimates that resource, most of us lose. If you want people to eat a healthy diet, you can't allow it to be easier to eat an unhealthy one. It's very noble to treat humans like gods with perfect free will, but in reality we're closer to animals. If we are to thrive, we need to adjust our environment so that it tends towards thriving.

It's true, I'm not a psychiatrist and don't know him. It's also obvious that achieving things helps us feel better. I'm trying to suggest that, instead of focusing on productivity as the final solution and trying to hack it into his life, perhaps look at the factors causing his difficulties. For example, the fact that he works alone, or does a sedentary job -- both of which are massive risk factors for depression.

Sure, but from reading the article it seems that social isolation as a matter of lifestyle is the elephant in the room. If he has to be held accountable through an app, it would suggest that there's no people present throughout the day to hold him accountable.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but it's less absurd than assuming we just need a whip when we're down. This isn't an unemployed person feeling like they're not contributing. It's more like: "If I can just never be unproductive, I'll be happy"...

"For me, depression is caused by a lack of productivity".

It is beyond me that such a statement can be expressed seriously. I strongly suggest the author look beyond "I'm not working hard enough" as the key reason for his mental illness.

Scientific research quite strongly links excessive screen time to psychological problems in children. You can be spared from science, if you'd like, but it does no good to ignore real problems just because you want to stick your head in the sand.

Edit: And for the bogeyman's sake, if you'd like the "proof", that's what Google is for. This isn't some fringe view. It's about the same as asking me for proof that smoking is damaging.

It's the medium, not the message. I would suggest that it's excessively stimulating and this causes maladaptive neurochemical changes. The same applies to computers.

Of course, no one seems to understand the precautionary principle. If something is potentially implicated in health issues, the rational reaction is to exercise caution. Instead, it's full-steam-ahead, and before we know better it's too late.

It's a very novel way to look at it, but I think you're right. Constructed reality by its very design replaces the use of actual reality. We've seen this trend with the internet and I can only imagine it will continue.

People are driving less, interacting less, working from home more, and using screens more. I'm fairly confident this isn't going to change when you make staying at home even more convenient and pleasurable. It should naturally accelerate.

Take a look at this graph:

http://blog.sgws.org/files/2012/04/MediaUseGraph.jpg

In fact, if you want to enter the rabbit hole of tech pessimism, read this report from 2010:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whywaldor...

It isn't pretty.

In level of severity:

0. Control yourself 1. Use tools to block problematic websites (e.g. K9, StayFocusd) 2. Use tools to temporary disable internet (e.g. Freedom) 3. Don't do programming, take up a hobby that doesn't involve dodging mental crack the whole time 4. Get rid of your computer

In reality, most people will seek out disgusting treats all day, then have a bit of healthy stuff out of guilt. That's happening already. The money is in the sugar. When it comes to supernormal stimuli, pleasure usually takes over -- not rationality.

Most of us discussing this are already living a Matrix-like reality. 80%+ of life in front of a screen, with that last bit of time at the gym (with screens), cafe/bar (with screens), or maybe an inner-city park (with cellphone screen out). A diet primarily consisting of processed grain, factory meat and barren vegetation. Blaming our inevitable neuroticism on a chemical imbalance or moral failure, not the alienated zoo life we live -- or worse, distracting ourselves so thoroughly we don't notice it. Of course this kind of person is going to think we can fit billions more on the planet.

Our wellbeing probably does rely on technology like VR and automation, but with so many mentally ill, I would say our current situation is already unacceptable (and has been for thousands of years). Adding billions more to the equation isn't going to help.