TL;DR
Turn your phone greyscale in order to reduce its attractive appearance to your lizard brain.
Body
You want to do get more stuff done? Here's a magic trick for you.
Suppose you've removed your social media apps, because you learned it is mainly "validation porn for women", good. You installed some useful stuff, like you keep track of your 5x5s, cardio, diet, you keep track of your plates' periods, good. You've got that Reddit app and some mod banned you because you couldn't see that mysterious "side bar" thing, touché. You replied to some of TRP posts dissing video games, weed and alcohol, because you're a video game alpha and you can do all three in moderation. And you can laugh at guys who can't. Splendid.
Now it's time for real challenge. But, this challenge seems easy, piece of cake. Maybe it's a shortcut. A cheat. A magic bullet that most of you, spergy, GLO-triggering millennials are looking for. Here's your magic trick, watch.
Find "Screen accessibility" options on your phone (iPhone: Settings -> General -> Accessibility -> Display Accommodations -> Color filters -> On, Grayscale). Enable it. Use it for a few days. Then tell us in the comment section, how did it feel.
I'm not telling you to do this religiously. If you want to buy a colorful t-shirt, turn colour on. If you're reviewing your photos, turn colour on, too. As a bonus, you can set to turn it on or off when you press home button 3 times on iOS. But most of the times, when messaging or browsing the web, keep it greyscale, give it a few days and we'll see how it went.
I found this tip on some other subreddit. It was suggested approach for people "addicted" to their cell phones. I'm doing it for about a few weeks and the results are kind of surprising. I see myself being more productive and the cell phone stopped being attractive any more. As for the colours... few months ago I've tried a 3D VR googles for the first time and the thing that really caught my attention were the colours. When I took the googles down, the world seemed... gray, bland, uninteresting. That was the moment I made the decision that I'm not trying it on again, but I digress. But... I still remember those colours! They were so damn juicy, so... intense, so tasty!
Lessons learned
Colours play very important role for our lizard-brain. In everyday's world, the colour LCD has become a standard. It flashes unrealistically saturated colours and thus it is somehow analogous to porn.
Your cell phone is a piece of electronics. You can't eat it and it seems like it won't ever taste like strawberries, even if its red. So make it more real to your lizard brain, thus make it less attractive by turning it greyscale.
We're stupid species. The Matrix - that artificial system surrounding us - has many various layers. To hack one's mind is to get out of it, one layer at a time.
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siempo16 6y ago
The greyscale trick is a total placebo effect. Turns out contrast is more important to the brain than color!
Unfortunately iOS and native Android don't let users adjust contrast. Only Android developers can.
https://medium.com/@getsiempo/where-going-grey-misses-the-mark-21056ea7e077
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
How many days did you spend with greyscale turned on?
siempo16 6y ago
We haven't yet conducted a controlled study, so we admit it was premature to declare a "placebo effect." Anecdotally we have heard that most don't stick with grayscale, which we would hypothesize is a combination of unnecessary behavioral friction and the contrast explanation cited in the blog post.
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Sorgenkind13 6y ago
Worked wonders for me. Looking on the phone is not interesting anymore. I even have stopped playing mobile games on the bus etc. The grey is just so annoying boring
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[deleted] 6y ago
Interesting idea, I will edit this back in 7 days.
Quite funny though, I feel like a color-blind.
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optimus93 6y ago
How do you set it to turn off/on by pressing the home button three times? I like the idea, will report my experience.
[deleted] 6y ago
Just did this with my mac as well. For anyone with a mac all you need to do is go to System Preferences -> Accessibility -> Display -> Use Grayscale
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nrohit92 6y ago
The options on my phone are different (Xiaomi Mi5s) . Even though I have turned on the accessibility shortcut and the phone is grayscale by default , I am unable to toggle it on/off . My phone asks me to hold the power button until I hear an audio confirmation (Which I do , It simply opens the UI for Power Off, Restart , Silent etc.) and then to touch and hold 2 fingers until I hear another audio confirmation (Which I don't). Really getting annoyed and not able to figure out this thing.
infamous3238 6y ago
Good tip. I believe we are all addicted to colors because in the primitive world, anything that had vibrant color (bright red, yellow, orange, purple, etc.) was a tasty fruit or vegetable. Maybe we are wired to get pleasure out of these colors as a survival mechanism. When we were hunter-gatherers, fruits were rare (seasonal) delicacies that required immediate consumption upon discovery.
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
This
mattizie 6y ago
Thanks mate. I'm going to try it too. Phone is grey scale arm, and I kinda like the spartan feel to it.
Andgelyo 6y ago
Literally just did this and I’m ready to just lock my phone in a cabinet and never use this bland piece of shit again lol
PhaedrusHunt 6y ago
Didn't really make a difference for me. I put it back to color
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posseltsenvel0pe 6y ago
A better option is to enable your android phones ultra power saving mode. This makes everything gray scale, throttles your cpu and disables all the distracting apps. In addition, your battery will last very very long. Thank me later.
RedPillRobin 6y ago
Look I agree about social media but seriously every girl I talk to is on Facebook and that messenger app is like gold for initiating with girls I meet in my social circles. I understand how lame Facebook is but you guy's are missing out not utilizing this tool
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
If I’ll ever catch some anxiety and stop cold approaching, your advice will be golden.
[deleted] 6y ago
I got a 1999 brick phone, I only interactive thing I have on there is snakes which I haven't played in 4 years. It's never stopped me from getting numbers though.
[deleted] 6y ago
Tried this immediately after reading your post and it's made a difference for me. I always have my phone on silent with most notifications turned off, and I removed most social media apps a while ago. With the greyscale, I find myself getting distracted by the real world while looking at my phone (whereas before, if I looked up from my phone it would draw me back in with the vibrant colors). I also noticed the real world seemed much more vibrant after looking up from my grey phone. Thanks for the tip.
[deleted] 6y ago
Thank you so much. This is fucking genius.
[deleted] 6y ago
Funny, I run my phone in greyscale 90% of the time anyway simply on the notion of conserving battery life. I hadn't even considered any other byproducts of this choice, but it makes sense.
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lilpharmatic 6y ago
It can be kind of trippy sometimes because your brain wants to interpret the screen as a lack of vision which can be uncomfortable.
Mojiitoo 6y ago
Extra tip; use blue filter (sort of a night mode). Put it on max and it relaxes the eyes way more. You'll less of the sunlight alike lightwaves.
Sir_Distic 6y ago
I use a small program called F.lux for my pc and it works wonders. Automatically softens the screen at dusk. So my eyes are less tired at night.
JebHasCheese 6y ago
There's a app called twilight on android that does the same thing.
TheTruthHelps 6y ago
I actually did this a few months back to save battery on my phone. I also changed my notification sounds and ringtone to simple beeps. Going full robot/psychopath mode.
Don_Himself 6y ago
keep a personal journal instead for these things. makes your shit smartphone even more useless and easier to ditch.
neo-rp 6y ago
Added bonus: Download the app “Moment”. It allows you to track the daily usage of your phone in time.
RedRover180 6y ago
Just wanted to drop in and say thanks for posting this. I was looking for a practical solution towards phone addiction and your post couldn't have come at a better time.
Stanleyyelnets 6y ago
It's been only this morning that I did this. Thanks so much. REALLY makes a difference.
I notice my phone is way less attractive. Even though it has full functionality.. I don't mindlessly wanna use it!
jazz_inmypants 6y ago
Thanks for the brilliant idea
12wangsinahumansuit 6y ago
It's been a few minutes. Now whenever I look up the color red jumps out at me. I think I'll keep it like this. It's interesting to think that such a small thing can change your perception so much.
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PhaedrusHunt 6y ago
Just did it. Will report back
ImmunosuppressedTau 6y ago
Thanks for the great tip EAB! Immediately notice the difference
Psychocist 6y ago
Another really important change - have it permanently on silent! Then only filter through calls from a few select people. Everything else can wait. I've had my phone on silent for the last 3 years and my life only gets better. You don't need it.
Mckcon 6y ago
Spoken like someone with no dependents - if my kids call at an unusual time I know something is very wrong. If I get a call from an anonymous number I know it could easily be my kids schools or worse. I need to know about these things ASAP.
Psychocist 6y ago
Yep, that is very true! I guess this is a luxury only afforded to free men.
honeydogg 6y ago
I do the same thing. My reason for removing almost all notifications is to remove the Pavlovian response everyone seems to have to their phones.
Ding! Followed by an immediate reaction to stop what you’re doing and check the notification.
Fuck that noise. Live life on your terms and in your own frame.
Psychocist 6y ago
Exactly why I stopped it. I think it actually just happened kinda naturally when I realised how much it was annoying me. But I have lived life without a phone before (30). I reckon it could be a different story for people who have been raised by constant messaging and notifications.
kiowa58dr 6y ago
Like seriously. Where the fuck is that mysterious sidebar thing I keep reading about. This guy just described my fucking life. He's a goddman wizard.
lopsidedlucky 6y ago
If you're serious, use the desktop view or use an actual desktop/laptop. There is a menu on the far right with all the writings that have helped form the red pill. If you haven't read it you're trying to build an engine without a manual. Or a crane origami without lessons if you're a soy boy.
kiowa58dr 6y ago
Yes I'm serious. Don't kick me while I'm down man! Thx for the pointers.
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[deleted] 6y ago
This Tim Ferrisesque idea is something that needs to be preached far and wide, and I've already seen results just from the past day.
Kevo4ever 6y ago
Just did this, crazy how unattractive even porn is via my cell phone being in black and white.
Seems like the allure is gone from such a simple tweak.
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anonlymouse 6y ago
You must be buried in your own phone to not notice how many people around you are.
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anonlymouse 6y ago
Then you must have something else wrong with you that you're unaware of this very obvious fact.
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FinallyRed 6y ago
I’m colorblind so it might not help much, especially since red is numero uno on the attention grabbing method list and it’s never really been like that in my perception. But hell I’ll give it a shot.
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n8dawwg 6y ago
I wonder if it would increase battery life aswell?
Cryxtalix 6y ago
It does for amoled screens like Samsung's. Best way to check is in a dark room and a fully black image. If the screen seems to be completely turned off and no light visible, it means battery life will be saved.
Older screen technology has a giant backlight for the entire screen, the black picture will still have some light shining through. This kind of screens won't save any power since the backlight is on anyway.
IronJohnKwando 6y ago
good shit, thanks for posting this
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ex_addict_bro 6y ago
Yes. And bring marriage 1.0 back
IronJohnKwando 6y ago
want to do this and need a smartphone for work, don’t want two phones
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
There are some hardcore guys, who use an e-book reader for browsing because that makes it "low reward" while you still can get information you need.
But why get another device. Just make the ones you have UNATTRACTIVE.
The colours are the super-natural stimulus, as I see that now.
Just make that god damn phone brick seem like a god damn phone brick, not an 7th wonder of the world.
BTW, did you notice, that all they do with the iPhone line is making the colours more and more juicy?
Fuck, we're colour addicts, seems so.
Krakodile 6y ago
Tips like these are brilliant, more of this!
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
Look for the man who brought us pills of different color than red blue and purple.
Liverslices 6y ago
Color doesn't matter anymore, everyone here is living in greyscale now
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
Yes, but that specific man lives in black and white. Many steps ahead of us. Find him.
21309 6y ago
It feels great, I will spend less time on my cell now.
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BigMawsmidget 6y ago
This works on Apple IPad too just turned on same feature, and yeah giving this a serious go.
We should never forget color plays a serious role in our lives.
coachm4n 6y ago
For Android:
Enable developer option if not already done. For that go to Settings > About Phone > press build number several times
Go to Settings > Developer options > under hardware accelerated rendering, Simulate color space > change to Monocromacy
Edit: format
[deleted] 6y ago
Or just settings > accessibility > vision > grayscale
PhaedrusHunt 6y ago
My LG phone Settings > general > about phone > software info > build number
Stanleyyelnets 6y ago
Thanks!
JAVIERFLORESGZ 6y ago
Thanks!
thebizom456 6y ago
Did this last week. Added a triple click feature to make it easy to switch if need be. My phone usage has gone down at least 50%. All the grabbing notification alerts and bright colors are gone, so much so that when I put it back for the first time I could feel my brain light up with pleasure centers. Please do this.
JAVIERFLORESGZ 6y ago
How did you activate the triple click feature? Android user?
thebizom456 6y ago
Iphone user. go into Settings>General>Accessibility>Display Modifications>Color Filters
ddk220 6y ago
General > Accessibility > accessibility shortcuts (scroll to bottom) > move colour filters to the top and select it.
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
High five brother thanks for taking time to share this
ntc1995 6y ago
Yo how do you set up the tripple click on iphone ?
ddk220 6y ago
General > Accessibility > accessibility shortcuts (scroll to bottom) > move colour filters to the top and select it.
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Pluglord 6y ago
What specific results have you seen? If I may ask.
ex_addict_bro 6y ago
Unfortunately no one can be told what the matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.
You take the light gray pill you wake up and you don’t remember any of this.
You take the dark gray you stay in wonderland and I’ll show you how dark the rabbit hole goes.
kaane 6y ago
I remember reading about this trick 3-4 months ago. I assigned the accessibility shortcut to change my phone and tablet to black and white.
This way I could easily turn back to color mode when needed. For example check the traffic on google maps, see the details of a particular image etc.
Than I realized I don’t use gray scale anymore, because the phone started to lose it’s appeal. I am already away from all the social media except reddit. I stick to use whatsapp only on my pc. The phone is usually on silent mode and I disabled all the notifications.
So yes I recommend this method, but supplement it with other measures for results.
CommanderHeMan 6y ago
I’ve had my phone on ‘do not disturb’ mode since August. I haven’t missed the intrusion at all.
frooschnate 6y ago
Do you only allow favorites to call or do you have the repeated calls let in too?
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ashotofmidoriperhapz 6y ago
Definitely gonna give this a go
FluffDevotee 6y ago
I don't think this feature is included in Android, or at least I can't find it.
Rivete 6y ago
It's not by default, you have to enable developer mode first by going into settings, about device, software info, then tap build number like 5 times. Then go developer options and it's called "simulate colour space"
FluffDevotee 6y ago
Yes indeed that's it. Thank you.
Tuno93 6y ago
How to turn on 3 times pressing configuration
ImperiallyInclined 6y ago
Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut > Tap Color Filters
JAVIERFLORESGZ 6y ago
Works on Android?
SoAMore0311 6y ago
Instantly less inclined to look at my phone. Will see how this changes habits in the long run will update in about a month.
push_pass 6y ago
Ok I did it. Grey. Let's see how it is.
CommanderHeMan 6y ago
I actually prefer it grey. I can read faster on it, I don’t feel like my gaze is wandering to other parts of the screen.
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AussiecuntTRP 6y ago
https://i.imgur.com/cwzk0ox.png
You can also make your PC greyscale by pressing Ctrl + Windows + C
playjekyll 6y ago
I changed mine by my samsung lcd monitor menu setting.. under color>color effect
newls 6y ago
For Mac: System Preferences -> Accessibility -> Display -> Check 'Use grayscale'
positivecrystal 6y ago
Wierd its not working for me. The windows button is the start button right?
AussiecuntTRP 6y ago
Windows key. The one in between Control and Alt
RiimoH 6y ago
Whaaaat? Will this also reduce energy consumption?
2comment 6y ago
On a desktop? Not by much the extra processing power is just too insignificant. Possibly on a phone as well as most 2D graphics is simple on modern processors.
On a phone, only if it's an OLED screen where you can also invert the colors and display black background. OLED can turn individual pixels on and off and not lighting entire portions on a screen is battery savings.
Right now, most displays, desktop or phone, aren't OLED and use a backlight that's always on when displaying screen so the hack will do very little. High end brand phones might be OLED.
RiimoH 6y ago
Okay thanks. I got an Nexus 6P so it should have AMOLED
Your_Coke_Dealer 6y ago
Theoretically. Android phones sometimes use it as a battery saving feature
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TehRedBirdCall 6y ago
wow, it actually works, never knew this was a feature. Has this always been in windows? Or is it a window 10 thing.
fudluck 6y ago
It was added in the most recent large update to Windows. I hit it the other day without realising and thought my computer was malfunctioning.
VickVaseline 6y ago
It doesn't work on Windows XP, for one.
Angu_jungle_poo 6y ago
I'm depressed at the thought of it
VickVaseline 6y ago
It doesn't work on Windows 7 either.
Moir53 6y ago
I like the idea, I’ll put it to the test.