Idea #1
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A browser extension that hides comments on YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, Instagram and Hacker News.
The toggle needs to be convenient so users can 'reveal' comments on demand.
An implementation for apps could be nice but I assume it can't be done.
There is a chrome extension that does something like this but it's not easily toggled and is just limited to YouTube: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hide-youtube-comments/kehdmnjmaakacofbgmjgjapbbibhafoh?hl=en
Idea #2
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A browser extension watching user activity (keeping all data local). Can identify 'autopilot patterns' and lets users set up indicators to let them know when they fall into a pattern.
It could also provide digests / live metrics with an estimate of time spent in autopilot.
It's really important things are presented in a super non-judgemental way and are easily toggled; it shouldn't be like the anti-distraction apps that can feel imposing rather than a tool the user is free to use however they like.
Rationale
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I noticed that over lockdown I would spend a lot of time browsing YouTube on autopilot so, as an experiment, I started using an extension that hides comments.
This set-up gave me an instant "you're on autopilot" signal because most of the times I switch off, I will scroll down to the comments at some point.
Since starting to use the extension, I spend way less time on YouTube but still feel like I'm getting so much more out of it.
I'm also noticing that a lot of the time autopilot is triggered by some ego resistance, things like "this isn't my kind of thing" or "I don't like this person".
When I catch this in the moment, which is happening more often, there's an opportunity for me to understand that resistance, let it go and re-engage.
It's definitely brought some mindfulness to my day and made me more open to things.
I'd be really interested to see how a 'toggleable' comments / autopilot detection set up impacts other people and changes the way they use different sites.