I particularly like the comment about discipline. I've read the arguments that we are in a current period of technological stagnation, and if that is actually the case I think one of the big detractors is our lower levels of discipline compared to people in the 20th century.
Over the last 30 years or so, the media has gotten much more effective at making us slaves. We are more compelled to watch mind-numbing programs on TV, and now today play mind-numbing apps, and view mind-numbing content on the internet.
Even 'thoughtful' content like that on HN has the effect of scattering our minds and making it harder to focus on a particular task.
I think times like these 30 minutes, where you buckle down with no distractions can be very beneficial to overall productivity.
Discipline is something I lack and need to force upon myself.
I tell myself I do programming in my free time. I tell myself that.
But then I look at my free time, and I realise I spend it all browsing HN/Reddit (occasionally)/BBC News/Forums. I don't do much programming at all. Because I get distracted far, far too easily. Sometimes I'll look back on the past week and realise I've done absolutely nothing of any value.
I've set myself 30 minutes tomorrow to work on something. Perhaps I'll finally learn Lisp and venture into functional programming, after all. Maybe I'll improve my programming skill again.
my fears exactly. I would have never thought I'd actually say this; but if humanity wants to continue its venture in the 21st century, we'll have to learn discipline again.
Over the last 30 years or so, the media has gotten much more effective at making us slaves. We are more compelled to watch mind-numbing programs on TV, and now today play mind-numbing apps, and view mind-numbing content on the internet.
Even 'thoughtful' content like that on HN has the effect of scattering our minds and making it harder to focus on a particular task.
I think times like these 30 minutes, where you buckle down with no distractions can be very beneficial to overall productivity.