IdeaWell

Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. Experience is commonplace, not profound

Many view sitting alone phone-free in cafes as ordinary, especially outside the US or for non-techbros.
"d--b: This is a highly romanticized view imo... I sit alone in cafes all the time... I don’t understand the post at all."
"soared: This reminds me of the “techbro discovers very common x thing” meme."
"tomca32: As a European living in the US this reads “American discovers sitting down with a cup of coffee instead of taking it outside”."

2. Criticism of writing style

The breathless, LinkedIn/TED-talk tone and title parody annoy readers.
"mrbukkake: It's the linkedin writing style, the idea is to make a bland anecdote with some vapid 'insights' sound interesting by making it all enthusiastic and breathless like a TED talk."
"isoprophlex: The writing style... quickly loses it's luster."
"nicbou: That writing style is like nails on a chalkboard to me."

3. Benefits of unplugging from phones

Support for leaving devices behind to embrace thoughts, despite addiction and practical hurdles.
"qweiopqweiop: When you're so addicted to checking at your phone (like me and many others), it does feel weird to sit and not look at it."
"unsungNovelty: Too many negative comments here. This is just someone discovering something new and sharing it very excitedly."
"delis-thumbs-7e: We all should learn how to be without electronics for every now and then, accompanied only our thoughts. It is good for the soul."

🚀 Project Ideas

Analog Coffee Trails

Summary

  • A curated discovery platform for "phone-free friendly" cafes and third places that do not rely on QR codes or apps for service.
  • Solves the frustration of "digital-only" environments that make leaving a phone at home impossible for modern city dwellers.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Minimalists, ADHD individuals, and "analog" enthusiasts.
Core Feature Map of venues with physical menus, paper tickets, and cash/card (non-phone) payment support.
Tech Stack React/Next.js, MapBox, Community-driven PostgreSQL database.
Difficulty Low
Monetization Revenue-ready: Affiliate partnerships with featured cafes; premium "offline" printable guides.

Notes

  • "The annoying part is that this becomes increasingly difficult... many restaurants choose to use QR codes for menus rather than printing them."
  • Relates to the "broetry" phenomenon by providing a practical utility for those actually wanting to experience the "joy of sitting alone" without being forced back onto a screen.

SecondScreen (Device Lockbox)

Summary

  • A physical-digital hybrid service that provides a 100% "dumb" secondary device for essential services (payments, transit, emergency calls) while locking the primary smartphone.
  • Addresses the "unreachable parent" and "digital transit ticket" dilemma mentioned by users who want to disconnect but cannot due to logistics.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Parents and professionals with "on-call" anxiety.
Core Feature A locked-down launcher for Android/iOS that permits only 3-5 whitelist apps (e.g., Apple Pay, Uber, Phone).
Tech Stack Android MDM (Mobile Device Management) API, Swift/Kotlin.
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue-ready: Monthly subscription for "Peace of Mind" management.

Notes

  • Directly solves the conflict expressed by user 8organicbits: "I answer every call when my kids are in the care of others... child care now requires parents to be readily available."
  • Validates the DIY approach mentioned by user DenisM: "Get two phones... lock it down 100% with parental controls."

The "Liminal Space" Writing App

Summary

  • A minimalist, distraction-free writing tool that uses a "wait-to-see" mechanic—text only becomes editable or viewable 24 hours after it is written.
  • Encourages the "internal processor" and "default mode network" states discussed by commenters, preventing the urge to immediately turn thoughts into "social media content."

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Journalers, writers, and "pixie dreamnerds."
Core Feature E-ink style interface with "delayed visibility" and NO social sharing buttons.
Tech Stack Flutter (Mobile) or simple Web App with local-first storage.
Difficulty Low
Monetization Hobby

Notes

  • HN users criticized the "LinkedIn writing style" and "broetry." This tool forces a break between experience and publication.
  • "Guess where ideas come from? Shower? Waiting for the bus? ... they come from our running minds NOT being entertained." - solves the need for "MY time to think."

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