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Crimping as nihilism
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Posted by Andy Brice
Jan 31, 2025 at 07:11 PM
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
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Jan 31, 2025 at 08:04 PM
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
Posted by Dormouse
Jan 31, 2025 at 09:24 PM
At least the whole thing is pulled together at the end. For anyone who reads it all.
And there are some cracking quotes.
Posted by MacSE
Feb 1, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Feb 1, 2025 at 03:58 PM
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