Hacker News Reader

Comment by ehnto | Hacker News Reader

It depends for me, if I am working on a tough logic problem I usually have to turn down any music with lyrics or high complexity as I will try to focus on the music instead. Otherwise it helps me stay focused by catching my moments of distraction, like a baby sitter for my brain.

View on HN

I used to use music this way, until I started noticing that when I really got into flow I wouldn't even notice if the music stopped for hours. Then I started using white noise, and eventually just stopped relying on any kind of audio aid at all. Unless you work in a noisy environment you can train your focus.

Yeah, if I am really focused I won't notice if music is on. Music is only helpful for mind numbing/very boring tasks. And helpful that those won't feel as boring, not making me do things better.

Same thing for me. If I have a novel problem I am trying to solve, then I'll usually turn down (or off) the music. If I'm refactoring or the problem is well understood and I'm just typing, then I vastly prefer doing it with music on.

Can confirm this. I can't have music if the problem requires a mental dialog, but it's helpful for rote or visual tasks.

(Also happy hardcore makes a passable coffee substitute/addition.)

> if I am working on a tough logic problem I usually have to turn down any music with lyrics or high complexity as I will try to focus on the music instead.

This is similar for me. The worst are live recording with applause and interactions with the audience from a show. While I can fade out lyrics it's close to impossible to ignore these.

Yeah usually for hard problems I need to talk myself through it. Talking while listening to music just overloads me.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com