Show HN: I turned YouTube into a text-first experience so I could quit it
A Chrome extension called Quit YouTube transforms the platform into a text-first, distraction-free interface, removing video thumbnails, autoplay, and the recommendation feed to help users reduce mindless scrolling and focus on content they intentionally seek out.
Background
- The article is about a Chrome extension that turns YouTube into a text-only interface, removing video thumbnails, autoplay, and recommendations to minimize addictive scrolling and endless watching.
- The extension replaces video content with search results, titles, and descriptions, letting users read about videos before deciding to watch — a "text-first" approach aimed at reducing time spent on the platform.
- This is part of a broader trend of "digital minimalism" tools: apps and extensions designed to fight attention-economy design patterns (infinite scroll, algorithmic feeds, autoplay) that platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram use to maximize engagement.
- Related prior art includes "Distraction Free YouTube" (removes sidebar/suggestions), "Unhook" (hides YouTube elements selectively), and "DF Tube" — all reacting to growing concerns about social media addiction and doomscrolling.
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