Conversation

Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
I've noticed that consciousness recedes when I'm deep in a coding phase, many back-to-back days in flow. My mind narrows to tunnel-vision, fixated on the software and its issues. My sense of self shrinks; non-code ideas cease to arise; I get less curious; writing yields little.
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
It's an odd feeling: flow is experientially satisfying, but the creeping self-abnegation is worrying. I also notice it takes quite a while to "reset" from this phase, to start hearing myself think again, to feel like less of an automaton.
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
I don't experience this feeling when I spend many days back-to-back in flow doing other work: developing an idea, writing, designing. I wonder if it's bc those activities are more creative, involve more reflective thought. Or maybe it's that I'm worse at them—so flow's less deep!
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
Also, I haven't noticed this much until last year. Hypotheses: a) didn't happen before b/c I rarely stayed in flow for days at a time working on a team; b) I only notice it now b/c I've become more self aware; c) I only notice it now b/c I value insight more and execution less?
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Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
Amusing reflection: an afternoon with psilocybin is a significantly faster, cheaper, and more effective way to reset this tunnel vision than a week-long road trip.
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Marc Verstaen
@verstaen
Replying to
@andy_matuschak
I noticed the same thing. What’s difficult to evaluate is the impact on the final result. When focused, I deliver faster, when not, I sometimes find other routes. A/B testing is not an option, unfortunately.
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droqen
@droqen
Replying to
@andy_matuschak
Not sure if you feel the same way as I do, but I adore moving in and out of this state: going into deep flow lets me do things I couldn't do otherwise, and once I escape deep flow, I appreciate my broader, more human perspective returning. Both states are valid and useful!
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droqen
@droqen
It's the best feeling in the world to me to exit a frustrated-but-flowy state and recognize larger issues I'd been ignoring or unaware of. But if I avoid going into the flow state because of an appreciation for this, I never get to feel this beautiful, sharp shift in perspective.
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Calvin Correli
@calvincorreli
Replying to
@andy_matuschak
I have absolutely experienced this. I think it comes from the level of focus required for coding. There are so many moving parts you need to keep in your mind at one time. Writing is more a “download” for me. I listen to the inner voice and just type out what it says.
Abhinav Sharma
@abhinavsharma
Replying to
@andy_matuschak
What you want ideally is all the characteristics of Flow but without the narrowing aspect. What I've found works for me is to train flow on progressively simpler objects, enabling easier transitions to what used to be harder flow activities but with preserved characteristics....
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Abhinav Sharma
@abhinavsharma
Meditation has 2 terms of value here — Samadhi (collectedness, absorbtion, akin to Flow) & Sati (mindfulness, nonjudgemental awareness). The classical training is to build up to a baseline of samadhi on a very simple object (e.g. breath) and then practice broader awareness
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