Comment by Alexander Tarnavsky (alexander-tarnavsky) on How do you deal w/ Super Stimuli? · 2025-01-16T19:12:42.219Z · LW · GW

I also have this problem and tried many things over the years. Here are my conclusions:

• Finding a good blocker is a balance game. If it's too restrictive - you'll find ways to bypass it; and if it's too permissive - you're just binging. A good blocker is one that makes you think "fair, that's enough, thanks" when you encounter it.
• All blockers eventually erode, you just need to notice that and keep trying new ones.
• There is a baseline of escapism you require and if you force yourself below it, you'll waste time some other way. It changes based on stress levels and life satisfaction (and hunger probably).
• "Unendirsed" is a crucial distinction here. Sometimes I'm ok with watching some YouTube and sometimes I disgust myself afterwards. I've found I have a parasocial relationship with some YouTubers. It's not about productivity, I really want to know what they're up to and deep inside don't want to give up on that.

Lately I'm using LeechBlock extension for FireFox on android. It's set up so that I have 3 overrides per day of 15 minutes each and usually after 15 minutes I'll concede it's enough and go do something else.

The extension broke down in the last update and my YT consumption spiked, showing that it's both effective and a crutch.