HN Reader

To me, yes.

Well, I've never been on "social media", but e.g. at night before bed some times I scroll on HN for a long time before falling asleep (30min-1hr). If I commit myself not to, I read instead.

The thing we should be talking about is forms of entertainment, and social media is just one type of entertainment. We should be discussing pros and cons of different forms of entertainment. Instead the discussion is "social media bad", which is a great starting point, but has the problem that allows us to avoid having to talk about the underlying mechanisms.

For example, one of the people responding here says "if I don't go on social media I go on youtube instead." If you try and think past "social media bad", what is actually going on?

Yes and no. I read a lot, but in "bursts." My iPad is full of books; many that I have read, many that I have yet to read.

But I use most of my free time writing software. I also tend to do that in "bursts."

Haven't looked at Facebook in many months. Never did Twitter/X. In fact, the only place I spend much time online, is ... here. Most of my karma is from comments, not submissions.

So I guess I don't get out much.

A couple of years ago I deleted reddit and other social media and news apps from my phone. The only remaining distractions it offers are email and books. It's been wonderful, I've been reading about 2 novels per month. Highly recommended.

This might sound stupid or obvious to some, but I found a way to read books more frequently: Read multiple books at once.

For some reason, I read more often and am more motivated when I can switch between books. When I tried to focus on just one, I always got the feeling that I sort of have to read it and that turned me off.

Another issue is that I read very slowly and think a lot when reading books, but that's apparently just how my brain works.

The ideal social media would be one without doomscrolling algo. It could still have scrolling/swiping but you'd know where you start and where you are going and where you're caught up -like reading book:) Then we might actually have time to read after catching up on the things we care about.

Yes. I will hit 52 books this year next week :) I am happy that I started reading again. It is helpful to slow down, relax, be entertained, or learn something.

My "problem" is more with Youtube: lots of quality (to me) content that I find educational (history, science) and entertaining.

I definitely started reading more when I quit "algorithmic" social media a couple years ago. Still do. But I'm also mid-50s so I could just be reverting to my base. Maybe it's different for younger folks.

Maybe you will. Maybe not.

But if you can "quit and stay dry", then it's extremely likely that you'll end up happier/healthier/saner, long-term.

Clearly no, because both activities couldn't be more different. I dont sit down in the evening and spend 2 hour scrolling through social media. Why should I? I might scroll through my feed while waiting for my dentist appointment, because it is a nice way to pass the time. But reading a book takes time and attention. I do that after work, at home, with enough time at hand.

Who asks such twisted questions anyway?

No, I would read less books. I actively participate in an online book club on one of popular messengers. It's very unlikely I would find the same great book club and similar people offline.

The blind hate towards social media is absolutely ridiculous.

Yes? At least this is what I've found. The only major social media account I have now is my Mastodon account. Not using X/BlueSky/Threads - I find I have more time to myself - my book count this last year has gone from near-zero to at least one book a month now.

Yes, that is literally 2024 and 2025 for me. I switched to books instead of doom scrolling.

I embrace the extremes. I am naturally curious, and I will let myself go down rabbit holes of fascination. When I need to concentrate, I will go through a little ritual of setting do not disturb on things, closing non-work tabs and programs, putting "focus" music on, planning my little bit of work, and maybe doing a little mindfulness exercise. I find this gets me into flow for a bit, and I think finding one's own process for getting into flow is useful.

And I take holidays deliberately to "unplug" and read. I go somewhere quiet and scenic, no computer - just a book (or several). I do take a tablet, but its basically only got a book and comic/manga reading app on it.

Yes, because you can only be bored for so long. My brain would require some stimulation or imagination. Toughest phase would be the withdrawal.

I did it and yes! I've been reading more books, exploring the indies/smallweb, and spending more time with friends IRL. I highly recommend it! And I agree that the mainstream internet and social media are possibly driving a shortening if it attention span, but books are a perfect example of how to counteract this. After I quit/drastically reduced social media exposure and started reading books again, I initially found it tough. Slowly though I adjusted to the old media.

I bought an android ereader and I read books and read articles instead of doomscrolling. Being Android and accessing raindrop makes me spend more time with it instead of using back my phone and opening social media

This was my plan, but then I just switched to lost of chess.com

Yeah, but only one more a week. Next question.

Me personally, no. I found the only way to increase my book consumption is to create accountability. Our book club is going on its 3rd year and I'm reading more than ever.

I quit social media many years ago and to answer the question: No, I just watch Youtube. If I could stop watching Youtube, I'm totally sure I'd finally be able to read books again /s

The problem is the award delay. In Youtube, I get my "award" in 10 minutes max. Starting to enjoy a book requires 1-2 hours investment, and the award can be anything between 1 and 10 in a scale of 10 (while median being more like 7), and Youtube is 3-6 with a rare 9.

I read a lot of self-improvement books lately, or heard to be honest. They didn't help me start reading. Atomic Habits came close.

I have (diagnosed, yet untreated, because of side effects) ADHD though. So maybe not the typical experience. I also couldn't read much (or do any homework) as a child.

Currently trying to stop myself from starting with short videos.

I found that it's less about social media, but about not being able to consume more complex content, because you are burnt out at the end of the day, or even the weekend, and therefore falling back to cheap "intellectual calories".

That doesn't go away just because you cut out one potential source of cheap calories. It gets better by first cutting out the source of drainage, which can be very personal. Too many disruptions and pointless interactions in your workday, long commutes, etc.

So I would first try to eliminate some of those, don't fry your brain completely towards the end of the day, and then read. It's much easier with a fresher brain.

It's also possible to read early in the morning, when you're not drained (assuming you still get enough sleep).

For about a year back in 2003-2004, I only had dial-up internet, no TV, and no social media (because it didn't exist yet). It was the most productive and creative time of my life. Then I got broadband, and I never reached those highs again. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yes. And the last social media I struggle to quit is YouTube.