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Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

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Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#11

Post by TheAceOfHearts »

I want to build the AGI god in order to bring abundance, wealth, and prosperity to all of humanity.

Aside from that, I'd like to shore up the cracks or gaps in my mathematical foundations, and learn more advanced mathematics.

I'm still really confused about thermodynamics so that's another topic that I would like to revisit. I've never neen able to convince myself that our current understanding is correct.

Honestly, I want to read and study more college level textbooks about every single subject.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#12

Post by busymom0 »

kenrick95 wrote: post #7

I want to learn driving. I live in a city with well-connected public transport (Singapore) so I don't feel the need to learn. However, this year I travelled to some rural areas in Japan and started to feel the pain of relying solely on public transport which is either extremely sparse, or sometimes non-existent which limits the places I want to visit. That's why I felt like if I obtain this skill, I can explore more…

I plan on learning driving this year too! I think I will still continue using public transit because I enjoy doing research things while on transit (which of course can't be done while driving) but I want to learn driving.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#13

Post by jimbob45 »

amha wrote: post #3

* Get less scared about applying to do stuff! I'm leaving my longtime job---I've taught advanced math to super-smart high schoolers; I'm quitting to be a visiting professor at Deep Springs College for a semester and then ???---and in the past, fear of applying to things (jobs, grad schools, writing residencies) has been a major blocker. * Learn complex analysis! * Get a better workflow for writing my notes to myself…

Out of curiosity, why are you quitting teaching? If you’re a high school teacher, I have to assume that it’s not the money.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#14

Post by busymom0 »

I want to try once again to learn piano. Previously, many years ago, I took lessons for 1.5 years but gave up because it was just too hard and I wasn't enjoying it. This time, I plan on trying to self learn. Been watching YouTube tutorials recently and as soon as I return from my trip, I will try once again.

I have bought the Nancy Faber adult piano adventures book 1 too.

Any tips are welcome.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#17

Post by [deleted] »

hu3 wrote: post #2

Learn to make money. Quite the adage but I have come to realise that I only ever learned to work, not to make money. I make a good living from consulting. But selling your time only gets you so far. So I'll probably hire. And probably find out all my previous bosses weren't so wrong with their complaints after all.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#18

Post by Ocerge »

I've already been working at it for a few weeks now, but I want to swallow my pride and stay up-to-date on interview skills (thankfully I'm safely employed but want to make sure I'm prepared if I need to be.) I do 2-3 leetcode problems a day and at least try to fully understand each line when comparing against the answer. I'm still pretty bad at it but instead of being terrified/anxious in the future I'd like to be confident that I at least can do my best. And my best is being prepared as opposed to just hoping I magically intuit a whiteboard problem out of thin air.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#19

Post by tmseidman »

busymom0 wrote: post #14

I want to try once again to learn piano. Previously, many years ago, I took lessons for 1.5 years but gave up because it was just too hard and I wasn't enjoying it. This time, I plan on trying to self learn. Been watching YouTube tutorials recently and as soon as I return from my trip, I will try once again. I have bought the Nancy Faber adult piano adventures book 1 too. Any tips are welcome.

Me too! I'm using Alfred's Adult Piano course book.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2026?

#20

Post by Trasmatta »

I'm pretty intensely depressed, so I think I'd like to learn how to be a little less of that. I've tried so many things, but I guess there's always more. Thinking about getting a personal trainer, because I try to stay active, but have no idea how to actually work out. Seems like a good skill to learn, and should help somewhat with the crushing weight my brain seems to be in constantly.
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