This is completely speculation on my part and I think the general model regarding subagents is correct but I don’t think that using apps like this is purely coercion. Are you averse to this because it feels like putting yourself in a skinner box?
I have no evidence to back this up (my experience is based on doing IFS therapy) but I think a lot subagents have their blind spots and these app help alleviate these blind spots and actually spare the subagent from future pain.
Let’s say your exploratory subagent is not on board with a boring admin task and cannot be convinced about the future pain that will come about from not completing the task and also cannot anticipate the shaming your other subagents will dish out on the subagent for causing issues. I would venture that Incentive structures like forfeit can help make it clear to the subagent that there is a cost to ignoring the task that most of the system is on board with and helps it fall in line.
In my particular case the subagents that resist any boring or even just routine work are time blind because they always assume there will be time to complete the task and hunger for novelty (I have never had a consistent routine so far).
I’m on day 2 of using the app so this is just early enthusiasm probably but I would lean towards viewing these apps as corrective lenses for these subagents rather than pure coercion. Mildly uncomfortable to wear and put on (maintain) but likely worth it overall (based on William’s data and the rave reviews).
Hey Josh!
I would like to ask a couple questions regarding user retention, if you don’t mind:
On average how long do people use the app before they stop/drop-off?
On average how many users get past the first week of use?
Thanks!