In-line with my other question: Is there anything that isn't on-topic here?
Can we get a clear definition of what a lifehack is?
I think if it's clear what a lifehack is, we can clearly define what is or is not on-topic here, and also who our experts are.
Pulling from Bobo's answer, MattS.'s answer, all of these meta posts, and a long discussion in the chatroom, here's my definition:
A lifehack is a technique that can be implemented quickly and is used to make one's physical life more efficient when a more standard approach (as defined by that area's experts) or a product is either unavailable or undesirable. Lifehacks are creative, meaning they use materials that are on hand for uses besides their intended use.
This definition can be applied to questions and answers. Looking through all the meta questions once more, this definition helps solve a lot of them.
This definition is now part of the scope of Lifehacks.
Going by the answer from @Bobo, I think that the very definition of what a lifehack is, is actually a solution, not a question.
So we need to try and flip it around and think what sort of questions produce lifehack solutions. Looking at this list of top lifehacks, these are the questions that would have to have been asked first to receive these sorts of responses:
They all seem to revolve around life's little annoyances, so maybe that's what the question scope should be? True, not all of them are going to produce lifehack answers, but in a Q&A format, these are the questions that are most likely to do that.
I think that my definition for the question scope would have to be something along these lines:
"Questions are in scope if they request a solution to a problem, that the majority of people face at some point in their life, that can be implemented more quickly, with more common tools, and is easier or cheaper than common or obvious methods, if those methods already exist.
If a question already has a common solution that they want to improve, they must explicitly state the method they want an improvement to, and which aspects needs to be improved"
In my opinion, this scope will allow all of the questions above, and all of the questions currently on the site that aren't already on hold, with some editing. When I say editing, the only thing that would need to change for the majority of cases that don't match the scope, is to add how they would like to improve upon existing methods. For example, https://lifehacks.stackexchange.com/questions/236/how-do-i-prevent-ants-and-cockroaches-from-getting-to-my-food could clarify how they would like the solution to be better than the common solution of pesticides, ie cheaper, more effective or using items around the house. OPs own answer in this example used cucumbers, so if that was the result they were wanting, they would ask for an answer using objects that are normally easily obtainable or already in the house
As for who our experts are, that's a whole other debate. But I do see people on Facebook have graduated from somewhere called "The University of Life", that sounds like a good place to start asking ;)
Here's my definition of lifehack. Feel free to debate any of it.
A lifehack is a quick solution to a problem. Usually the solution is an outside-the-box or unexpected solution, hence the term 'hack'. The problems tend to be trivial, yet irritating for those who have to deal with them. Lifehacks are simple and can apply to many people.
This question is a good example, because lots of people can be affected by this and it is nice to find an easy solution.
When I google "What is a lifehack" I get this definition:
a strategy or technique adopted in order to manage one's time and daily activities in a more efficient way.
Which to me would imply that a lifehack is just the term used for the most efficient solution to a problem.
The danger with inventing our own definition is that every new participant to the site will have to be taught it. This will lead to a lot of frustration as people come with their own idea and we have to tell them that our idea is different. There is a lot to be gained in adopting a standard definition.
There isn't a central authority who defines what a life hack is. The best we can hope for a consensual definition is to follow dictionaries and encyclopedia: reference material that's shared by everyone, not just by the Lifehacks Stack Exchange founding clique.
Therefore I propose to align with Wikipedia's definition. I am copying the current relevant part of the article here.
Life hacking refers to any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life. It is arguably a modern appropriation of a gordian knot — in other words, anything that solves an everyday problem in an inspired, ingenious manner.
For me, the key ideas are:
I don't have a definition for what a lifehack is or isn't. However its decided, though, keep in mind that questions need to be able to be judged without answers. Requiring an answer to be able to judge the question means there are going to be lots of questions without answers, that can't be closed.
Having to know the answer to a question in order to judge whether its on or off topic is very problematic. The point of closure is to prevent answers, because the question doesn't meet the current standards of the site.
Whatever definition is decided, base it on the questions, not the answers.
I've given this a some thought lately, because while this topic presents a lot of challenges for our model, I think this could be a very useful site, if we can limit the scope enough to make it appealing to a core community and as helpful as it can be.
My thinking below doesn't deviate much from Zach's accepted answer, which I like a lot. But I wanted to pull out the pieces of that that I think are key, and to touch on a couple of challenges and issues below.
I think there are two core criteria that define what should be considered a lifehack for our purposes:
Assorted Thoughts
This is the one that scares the crap out of me, but we may as well admit it now:
That's a problem. And frankly, I don't know exactly how to solve it. But the first step is admitting it, and I don't seen any definitions proposed that really seem like we won't often need answers to evaluate the question.
I've been answering questions here for a week now, and frankly... Most of the questions I've seen fall into a category I'd call "robot maid questions". That is, you already have a solution to your problem and you're just hoping there's some crazy sci-fi solution that requires less thought or effort.
These questions... Really suck. Because what you get tends to be one or both of two responses:
Most of the time, you would be wise to go with #1. No one is going to die if you don't solve your problem immediately, and more often than not there's a really good reason why everyone already knows about the usual solution: the tradeoffs you'll make for #2 aren't worth the small advantages they bring.
But, sometimes... Once in a blue moon... #2 is nice to know about - not because you'll want to use it, but because for circumstances beyond your control you've no other choice. I've started calling these the "Car Talk 9-volt battery solutions"...
Years ago, the popular radio show Car Talk discussed the practicality of jumpstarting your car in an emergency using two bits of wire and an ordinary 9-volt battery. The conclusion was that this was a long shot indeed: getting such a tiny battery to supply enough current (even for a very short period of time) would be difficult under even ideal circumstances, and would most likely destroy the battery in the process (potentially harming the hapless hacker). Nevertheless, it was speculated that in dire circumstances it might be possible to start a small vehicle this way in order to avoid some worse fate.
I believe that this is the essence of a Life Hack:
A lifehack to me constitutes the solving of an everyday problem with an uncommon solution. This can be achieved by using everyday objects in an unusual manner, or by implementing a not so well known method.
This raises the question when would something not be a lifehack? The answer is pretty simple; for it being a lifehack calls for a problem to exist, in the absence of a problem or issue, the solution can never classify as a lifehack.
I've already posted an answer, but decided to split this part off of the original answer to make voting clear. I'm sure of the rules laid out in my previous answer, and less sure about this part of it.
I want to suggest one more rule, that I'm not so sure about:
- Questions should be interesting. (See this Meta English post for more information)
That last one is very nebulous, admittedly, but I think if we can get five users with CV privileges to VtC a question as "uninteresting," then I think we can bet that the question actually is uninteresting.
Q: How can I make sure I get the USB plug in the right way up?
A: Align the two holes so they are at the top of the cable.
Q: How do I increase my car's keyfob's working distance?
A: Stick it under your chin and use the button. This also works with garage door openers.
Q: How do I eject a SIM card from an iPhone (without the tool)?
A: Unbend a paperclip and use one of the ends.
Q: How do I unstick my laptop keyboard's space bar?
A: Take off the key, clean it, and clean under it. Let everything dry, and then replace it.
Q: How do I remove a stripped screw?
A: Use a "Stripped Screw Remover".
Q: How do I keep apple juice from sticking on my hands?
A: Corn cobs.
Q: How do I avoid procrastinating?
A: Read one of the hundreds of thousands of online articles that have something to say about that.
Q: How do I swim without getting my hair wet?
A: Shave your head.
Answers should never have you explicitly buy something ("Go buy, this, this, and that."). You should be able to do any life hack with only things around your house/easy to find. If you need it, go ahead and buy it. But don't explicitly buy things for lifehacks.
Any item used in an answer should have more than one use. Lifehacking (and hacking) is adapting things so they work for you, how you want them to.
Lifehacks should not be "easy." They should be more out-of-left-field instead of something that anyone can think of (Q-Tips to clean ears, anyone?). Those lifehacks help nobody, because everybody knows them or can find out in seconds.
A really good lifehack addresses a problem that everyone has, but few people know how to solve.
Legality should not be an object here. While doing illegal things are wrong, people have use cases. Don't get in trouble. Instead, add a little note to anything that may be seen as illegal:
Questions
I am only attempting to access/use/whatever my own property and possessions. They are owned solely by me, and I have a right to do whatever I want.
Answers
Performing this answer on anything that is not your property is illegal, and may cause fines or jail time. I assume no responsibility for anything that happens to you.
I feel a lifehack is simply a solution to a problem which might fit on another forum, but may be to basic or unorthodox for that forum.
For example, I could ask for a quick way to multiply two numbers. That is too basic for mathematics.SE, therefore it can fit in lifehacks
