Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
The Procrastinator's Clock (davidseah.com)
26 points by eru on Oct 7, 2008 | hide | past | favorite | 12 comments



This is a serious problem for me; while I have overcome the larger problem of procrastination in terms of putting off important tasks, I'm always 5-10 minutes late.

I actually thought of the exact solution as in the article when I was a kid, but I didn't know how to hack a physical clock to do it. And doing it on the computer is not very useful when there is a big-ass wall clock giving you the correct time with a (constant, known) error.

I think the killer app for this is to put it on a Chumby. Anyone up for it? When I get my own chumby, this is probably the first app I'll write. (Assuming it isn't already written.)


First of all creating this clock was in all likelihood a major act of procrastination. Publicizing the clock: more procrastination. Me reading the article: more procrastination. You reading my post: more procrastination.

Where does it end?


Perhaps using the clock ends procrastination. If you are lucky, that is.


I have a much simpler method of getting to the exact same end result of fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

Nickle: the best allergy I ever got. Can't wear my beautiful $3000 stainless steel watch anymore. So I just stopped wearing a watch. Presto, on time all the time. Why? Because I learned very quickly to build in a little extra fudge time wherever I go. I can't time it to the second, because I don't know, and I, for damn sure, know that.

Now, if that only worked for 6 month research projects.


Ah friend of mine said, he needed the Procrastinator's clock as a calendar with 15 days instead of minutes ahead.

By the way, I never wore a watch. It's always funny when you ask people for the time, and they tell you "It's quarter past", but do not tell you the hour and that's what you are interested in. They just assume you know.


Wow. This seems useful, if it's the only clock you have (and, of course, if you have this problem). Unfortunately, we're all surrounded by clocks. Or maybe just I am. I can see three (including the upper-right OS X clock) from where I sit, and every cellphone has a clock, too.


I wonder what the correlation between procrastination and punctuality is? This works if you're a procrastinator and punctual....


This never works in the long run - The problem is that you know it's 15 minutes out and you adjust.


Please go read the article. That's exactly the problem that the clock solves.


Oh - right you are... Funnily enough, that didn't leap out at me when I skimmed it.


My brain does not have enough sugar left to really back up what I'm going to say, but here goes:

Y'all have ADD. The only thing that's going to fix your problems is Ritalin.

Just saying.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_attention-deficit_disorde...


You are a product of your environment. --Clement Stone




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: