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Comment by _benj | Hacker News Reader

I loved the article!

Over the years and after burning out I’ve learned observe my state of mind, but mostly for the distracted mode, and when I finding in it I’ll just stop whatever focus work I’m doing because very few good things come out during that mental mode, and a ton of frustration is built.

The part that I haven’t been able to accomplish is a good use of the low filter mode. For me in this mode I have little to no brain power left, and thus anything that is not effort than a YouTube video is a chore. I’ve curated my YouTube so is not completely full of trash and have chosen things that I don’t feel like I just burned a few hours of my life… but still, I’m trying to figure out how to use low filter mode better.

Again, good writing, thanks!

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I have trouble with this too! Lately, I’ve been trying to use podcasts instead of YouTube videos. Audio-only means I can also close my eyes and feel a bit more rested afterwards too!

I agree. You actively choose to listen to a certain podcast on a topic of interest but on Youtube, it is so easy to fall down the endless rabit hole of decreasing quality content and that doesn't feel like well spent low-filter time at all

> I’m trying to figure out how to use low filter mode better.

How about some brainless exercise dosed so it's not very straining? Couple of pushups, base technique that you know well if you do a martial art etc.

I have a guitar beside my desk that I will pick up and run through some scales or something like that to distract me. Works great.

Try writing rhymes and poetry on your phone, I've found low filter mode great works well for that and is more rewarding than most alternatives.

Is there a definition of "low filter" mode? I don't think I've heard of it before.

He kind of defines it in terms of the opposite:

>But early in the day, my mind is hyper-analytical. It’s trying to analyze every word I write from ten different angles. Hence every tweet felt like hard work.

People who just blurt out whatever they think without considering its effects or even how to word it are often said to have "no filter". That is often saying things they shouldn't, things that are inappropriate, or insulting or demeaning toward other people. Or getting the tone all wrong.

Someone who over-analyzes everything before speaking or when writing and can never seem to find just the right perfect words, and therefore just stays silent could be said to be over-filtering.

I read "low-filter" mode as being a middle ground of casual, easy conversation mode. Not no-filter inappropriate, but also not overly analytical and formal and rigorous.

Gotcha, that makes sense, thanks

It's part of the article this comment section is discussing.

The article mentions it a few times, but never explains what it means by the term. It only says that it often occurs when he's a bit tired, but not what it is.

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