Q: so i recently had a breakthrough in which i realized that if i post to a public space (that people pay attention to) a deadline, it's so much more real because immediately there are people expecting something of me. even if nobody really cares if i release it on that day or not i still freak out and have to get it done by that time. are you using a similar motivation with sept. 4th and the questions page? i feel like on a large enough scale it could become terrifying and overwhelming but with what i have now it works great
A: i've succeeded and failed at many deadlines, public and private. one thing i've learned is to never even hint at a deadline unless i'm absolutely sure, because people will harass the hell out of me even if i miss even just some date that may have been just a fraction of an inferred implication made only as a response to ruthless prodding and then taken out of context