Chances are, you have one or two vices. And that’s OK, we do, too.
Though the Web can be a prime locale in which to nurture said ills and watch them flourish in “real time,” turning one’s soul into an 8-byte mess, it can also serve as a way to keep tabs on your own bad habits — essentially taking on the work of the long-gone angel who once perched upon your shoulder.
Read on for seven smartphone applications and services that will at least make you feel like a better person as you live your life in line with the seven deadly sins.
Gluttony:
Being that most of us reside in America, otherwise known as “the land of plenty,” there’s a good chance everyone reading this is a glutton of some sort. In this case, we’re going to forgo the obvious “FatBooth” and instead address smokers, aka gluttons for self-punishment.
If your lungs are aching to ache, might we suggest downloading Quitter, a free iPhone app that tells you how much money you’re saving by not smoking? Sure, all that cash could lead you to indulge in No. 2 on our list, but we’re just getting started.
Greed:
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Blew all your cigarette money on moonshine and snooker? Well, once you shamble back from the 1920s, alleviate your soul-crushing guilt by giving back: Sign up for Catchafire, a service that will match you up with a social good organization based on your skills — whatever they may be.
Sloth:
This is a tough one, because the Internet basically breeds more sloth than the rain forest — especially where that great time waster, Facebook, is concerned.
For the students among you, we suggest checking out hoot.me, a Facebook plug-in that turns the social network into a study group, allowing you to connect with other users and get homework help. For those of us whose school days are long gone, maybe just exercise self-control.
Wrath:
We can say it once, we can it say it 1,000 times: A public forum is not the best place to get out your rage — unless you work in a field that encourages said rage, like the arts or talk radio.
For the rest of us cubicle supplicants, here’s a little toy to help you rein in your wrath: RageGage Connect, a USB gadget that hooks into your Facebook, allowing you to “punch” your friends and co-workers in effigy.
Envy:
Your friend just posted an entire album to Facebook titled “My New Summer Condo!” Your former classmate just tweeted that he will be appearing on “Entourage.” Your sister just Instagrammed a photo of her new convertible.
You’re feeling jealous of their success. Instead of busting out the voodoo dolls, do something that makes you feel better about yourself, like asking for a raise.
GetRaised will help you on your quest for fiscal feast by helping you create a letter outlining why you deserve a raise. Pro tip: “Because I do!” probably should not be included in the text of that letter.
Pride:
Really proud of your poem/nature photography/”Buffy The Vampire Slayer” fan fiction? Well, then, post it in an anonymous forum. That should smack the smug smile off your face.
Or visit Opininaided, a much more positive Q-and-A experience — with badges for good advice given, etc. — than, say, Formspring, if you need to talk about yourself but you’re overly prone to crying.
Lust:
We believe the sinners are much more fun, so we’re not about to suggest using the Web to quell your lustier desires.