i haven't read hacker news yet this year and it feels great

[datarama@hachyderm.io]

@b0rk I stopped reading HN in late 2024, and I think that is the best decision I have made for myself in a very, very long time.

[crodges@fosstodon.org]

@b0rk Great idea, I'm starting today

[cwebber@social.coop]

@b0rk

[cwebber@social.coop]

@b0rk you are an inspiration generally, and now in one more way (being inspired to not read HN)

(okay I am still gonna read it but not because it's a good decision)

[gsuberland@chaos.social]

@b0rk I've been actively trying to avoid spaces like that for a while now (Reddit being the main one I used) and it's a remarkable weight off.

I recently ran into someone who still frequented those places and talking to them was weird. everything phrased defensively or antagonistically. felt like engaging in verbal combat, even though we were just chatting about something we were both into. not very fun.

[pawandubey@tiny.tilde.website]

@b0rk the quality of conversation there has really gone down in recent years. It always contained some level of vitriol but now it just feels like reading reddit comments but without the mirth.

[kirtai@tech.lgbt]

@cwebber @b0rk
I only read it when a search links me to a specific post and even then, it can be hard to deal with.

[senj@surf.cyberspace.club]

@b0rk I blocked it at my DNS server a couple of years ago to break the habit, and it made a huge difference to my mental health

[rjbs@social.semiotic.systems]

@b0rk Related: I am still glad that (only in the last few years!) I learned that when somebody starts telling me about the specific horribleness of some forum, I can say, "I'd rather not hear about this, actually."

[jszym@cosocial.ca]

@b0rk do you or anyone else have good suggestions for alternative communities (maybe even here on Mastodon/Fedi)? Looking to end my HN addiction.

[b0rk@social.jvns.ca]

@jszym I don't know, I appreciate my mastodon replies as a community but obviously that answer does not work for other people