A rambling article that starts off analysing Product Hunt data and ends up attacking productivity software includes this gem:

"The nihilist is not everyone who uses productivity tools, but the person who sees these tools as ends in and of themselves, and for whom the disciplined use of such tools corresponds with the opposite of their stated purpose — i.e., the absence of producing much of anything at all. The world of the nihilist is a kluge of productivity apps that tumorously agglomerate Akira-like in both the nihilist’s organization and individual life. The nihilist’s goal is to project a hologram of value in order to deceive everyone, from peers to managers to investors to the nihilist themself, that something valuable is actually taking place."

Ouch. There is a lot to disagree with in the article, but some truth as well. Might be worth a read:

https://components.one/posts/gamer-and-nihilist-product-hunt

--
Andy Brice
https://www.hyperplan.com
https://www.easydatatransform.com
https://www.successfulsoftware.net

Thanks, Andy. Seems like that writer got a "Word a Day" calendar for Christmas!

Steve

Andy Brice wrote:

A rambling article that starts off analysing Product Hunt data and ends
up attacking productivity software includes this gem:

"The nihilist is not everyone who uses productivity tools, but the
person who sees these tools as ends in and of themselves, and for whom
the disciplined use of such tools corresponds with the opposite of their
stated purpose — i.e., the absence of producing much of anything
at all. The world of the nihilist is a kluge of productivity apps that
tumorously agglomerate Akira-like in both the nihilist’s
organization and individual life. The nihilist’s goal is to
project a hologram of value in order to deceive everyone, from peers to
managers to investors to the nihilist themself, that something valuable
is actually taking place."

Ouch. There is a lot to disagree with in the article, but some truth as
well. Might be worth a read:

https://components.one/posts/gamer-and-nihilist-product-hunt

--
Andy Brice
https://www.hyperplan.com
https://www.easydatatransform.com
https://www.successfulsoftware.net

At least the whole thing is pulled together at the end. For anyone who reads it all.
And there are some cracking quotes.

I feel seen! That's exactly me - spending more time organizing my productivity tools than actually being productive. I've become quite skilled at meticulously setting up systems but somehow manage to produce very little in the end.

As most of us here know, delving into different productivity tools is FUN. Building fun in our lives is one form of productivity, so I refute the notion that playing with these apps is a "nihilist kluge."

Steve

Stephen Zeoli wrote:

Thanks, Andy. Seems like that writer got a “Word a Day” calendar for Christmas!

I'm guessing social studies graduate. Which reminds me of this hilarious incident:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal_affair

As most of us here know, delving into different productivity tools is
FUN. Building fun in our lives is one form of productivity, so I refute
the notion that playing with these apps is a "nihilist kluge."

They definitely set up some false dichotomies (I can do big words as well!).

--
Andy Brice
https://www.hyperplan.com
https://www.easydatatransform.com
https://www.successfulsoftware.net

MacSE wrote:

I feel seen! That's exactly me - spending more time organizing my
productivity tools than actually being productive. I've become quite
skilled at meticulously setting up systems but somehow manage to produce
very little in the end.

Slightly daunted by the scale of work ahead of me, and luxuriating in the current stability of my products, I'm currently procrastinating by tidying my office. But I'm sure I will get my mojo back soon.

I think we all have periods of low productivity. But long term productivity is more important.

--
Andy Brice
https://www.hyperplan.com
https://www.easydatatransform.com
https://www.successfulsoftware.net

Do people actually find new software on Product Hunt? I am both a gamer and a crimper and don't use the site myself. I find new games on Steam or Discord, and new software here or on reddit.

Going by this article, Product Hunt appears to be a site for people to generate hype for investors. So any analysis based on it isn't about usage but promotion to financiers. It's about as insightful about usage as articles in The Financial Times are about games, i.e. not.

Cyganet wrote:

Do people actually find new software on Product Hunt?

I think it is more for people interested in startups, both creating their own startup or investing in other people's. But I could be wrong.

--
Andy Brice
https://www.hyperplan.com
https://www.easydatatransform.com
https://www.successfulsoftware.net

After musing further on this alarming article (wow, what a lot of detailed breakdowns!), I must disagree with the author’s simplistic conclusion.

One of the main reasons I think we all CRIMP is because we’re fascinated by the flow of thoughts/ideas/information and how to apply them in practice.

Part of this definitely has to do with FUN. But another part has to do with a general curiosity about the nature of human-machine interaction, including
- the user experience (UX)
- how best to manage knowledge (especially when the sheer quantity of information becomes difficult to grasp (überschauen))
- how best to prioritise actions arising from knowledge and/or day-to-day activities (and whether these things should be done together or separately)
- and a whole lot of other aspects!

That this can involve us in endless "messing about" is inarguable. But to label this “nihilism” is peculiarly limiting. The usual term is “procrastination”, a problem that has afflicted human minds since forever. A procrastinator is not someone who will necessarily achieve Great Things in life, but they may well come up with interesting insights that serve those who are endeavouring to achieve Great Things.

So not really anything to do with nihilism – pessimism, perhaps, or a lack of confidence in one’s own abilities, but not nihilism (although Flaubert was an interesting example of an author who felt compelled to write thousands of words despite the fact he clearly loathed humanity and was fundamentally a nihilist; but then again, his elegance and occasional wit – sorry, I confess I loathe the man and all his works – have inspired countless authors since. As has Friedrich Nietzsche...).

... and actually, I suspect a whole lot of us don’t lack confidence or belief in ourselves at all, but are what could best be described as Curious Cats!

Curiosity is a Good Thing, in that it keeps the mind alert, engaged and inventive. So nyah nyah to all accusations of nihilism...

Productivity is a means to an end, not an end in itself, as the author of that article seems to imply. What the end is may vary, though I think it can be boiled down to this:

We want to be productive so that we will be able to regularly stop being productive and find joy in the other areas of our lives.

Steve

Hear! Hear!

Stephen Zeoli wrote:

We want to be productive so that we will be able to regularly stop being
productive and find joy in the other areas of our lives.

Very nicely put. Shows a certain desire to avoid examining the nature of CRIMPing too closely, but hey, we all understand ;-)

Stephen Zeoli wrote:

Productivity is a means to an end, not an end in itself, as the author
of that article seems to imply. What the end is may vary, though I think
it can be boiled down to this:

We want to be productive so that we will be able to regularly stop being
productive and find joy in the other areas of our lives.

Steve

CRIMP

CRIMPers find joy in playing with productivity apps

PROCRASTINATors with a tendency to guilt find relief in playing with productivity apps
devil-may-care PROCRASTINATors play games

Perfect!

Dormouse wrote:

CRIMPers find joy in playing with productivity apps

PROCRASTINATors with a tendency to guilt find relief in playing with
productivity apps
devil-may-care PROCRASTINATors play games