{
  "id": 5056259,
  "title": "I Built a Calm Decision Tool for Questions That Do Not Fit in a Spreadsheet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/i-built-a-calm-decision-tool-for-questions-that-do-not-fit-in-a",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-02T09:26:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/tom007/i-built-a-calm-decision-tool-for-questions-that-do-not-fit-in-a-spreadsheet-np3"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In conversations, many people find themselves facing decisions they struggle to make. They may need a little time to contemplate. While pros and cons lists can be helpful, sometimes the real challenge lies in finding a clear way to examine the information at hand. This is why Yi Ask, a web application inspired by the I Ching and Meihua Yishu, was created. Users can input a focused yes-or-no question, select two numbers through a deliberate, circular interaction, and receive a structured result. The app's goal is not to predict the future or eliminate uncertainty but to transform a vague feeling into a question with a clear direction. The number selection process is designed to be slow, allowing users to pause and reflect on their question without quickly changing topics. This deliberate approach changes the mood from generating an answer to taking a moment with the question. As Yi Ask evolves, the product team is focusing on providing more concrete language for interpretations. Every result should answer four key questions: what is the current direction, what needs to be true for this to work, what should make one pause, and what is the next small action to take. This structure aims to make judgment easier, providing a useful reflection tool without replacing personal judgment. The app is privacy-minded, with users able to try the experience anonymously and save their reading history with email verification. It is multilingual, primarily in English, and clearly states that it is not a substitute for professional advice in medical, legal, financial, or mental health matters. Yi Ask seeks to be a quiet, helpful tool for difficult-to-settle questions. Feedback on whether the result aids in seeing the next step more clearly is welcomed.",
  "summary": "I keep noticing the same moment in conversations: someone has a decision in front of them, but what they really want is a little space to think. “Should I move?” “Is it time to change jobs?” “Should I take this relationship more seriously?” A pros-and-cons list can help. So can talking to a friend. But sometimes the question stays unresolved because the hard part is not finding more information.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Yi Ask is a web app inspired by I Ching and Meihua Yishu for yes-or-no questions.",
    "Users select two numbers via a slow, circular interaction to structure their question.",
    "The app provides structured results answering four key questions to aid judgment."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}