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Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

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Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#101

Post by sauravt »

mrhackerpoland wrote: post #42

From my experience: After my startup got acquired, i ended up with lots of money (10s of millions, small start-up) and time. This created a vacuum in my life. I was very sad having finally made it. I had no purpose in life. Since then, Self Acutualization - walking the path devised by yogic culture of spritualism. Cannabis - The king of herbs, it helps me in self Acutualization and achieving state of trance aka ultim…

Very interesting to see someone transcend all way to the top of maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid. Having achieved this state, what do you look forward to when you wake up every morning?

Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#102

Post by murukesh_s »

mrhackerpoland wrote: post #54
lolitan wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so you don't seek for happiness anymore?

Yes, i don't because i am already happy. It's not a goal anymore

Would you mind explaining the spiritual path you took/system you followed ?

Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#103

Post by gjm11 »

another-cuppa wrote: post #39
srik wrote: post #8

Penmanship & Calligraphy. One of my non-computer fascinations that turned out to be spiritually rewarding. Once one gets past shallow modern trends, there's so much to discover, study, learn, practice, master and let loose with. It's really fun. I don't necessarily ship or sell anything, at least as of yet, but still the act itself is kinda like meditation.

I started to get into calligraphy. I got quite good at copperplate/engrosser's script (I was never quite clear on the difference). My script was good enough that people thought it was printed. But I just don't know where to take it from there. I feel like I need a good book on the subject. Like The Art of Computer Programming, but for calligraphy. I've been unable to find such a book, though. Any suggestions on how p…

Johnston's "Writing & Illuminating & Lettering" is something of a classic. It's not nearly broad enough in scope to be a Knuth-equivalent, though.

Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#104

Post by gjm11 »

monster_group wrote: post #55

Learning Sanskrit. I have spent the last few years learning it and it's been tremendously rewarding. Sanskrit is a beautiful language. Learning it is a great mental challenge and gives great satisfaction (to me). Before learning Sanskrit I had never really pursued a hobby this seriously. Since I have been doing this I no longer feel like a machine who just goes to work, eats and sleeps. Before this, I used to feel gr…

Why did you choose Sanskrit in particular?

Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#105

Post by arminiusreturns »

pjmorris wrote: post #13

Cooking. I am not a chef, but I have spent the time and effort to be able and willing to tackle nearly any recipe in the cuisines I'm familiar with. More importantly, I've made my wife, family, friends, strangers, and myself, happy at my table and via gifts of food. In terms of books, the biggest difference-makers have been 'The Way to Cook', Julia Child, 'The French Laundry Cookbook', Thomas Keller, et al, and 'The…

I also agree with this. I have learned by doing blue apron and hello fresh for a year, and it's amazing the little things I've learned from cooking so much. another bonus is my foods budget has become much more manageable.

Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#106

Post by arminiusreturns »

newusertoday wrote: post #97

emacs, it has paid so much of dividend over the time. Sometimes i regret not having adopted it earlier.

I also agree with this. I am working on myd data science degree and now almost everything I do lives in emacs. (usually org mode) related was taking my time to gpl'ize my stack of software in daily use.

Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#107

Post by KineticLensman »

Learning to use a modern DSLR camera in fully manual mode. I now intuitively understand the relationship between the control inputs of shutter speed, aperture and ISO and the outputs of image brightness and depth of field (I still mostly use auto-focus). I have sufficient muscle memory for the controls that my big complex camera is truly a point and shoot device and I can have a few pictures in the can while the crowds with their mobile cameras are still waiting for the things to focus. Don’t get me wrong, I use my iPhone camera all the time, but if I want to get pictures that are different from most other peoples, I can.

I’ve also learned to take a portfolio perspective to photography (building sets of pictures that tell a story) rather than instantly uploading everything in a competitive search for ‘faves’. I’ve rediscovered younger me’s joy in photography, whilst posting less than I have for years.

Re: Ask HN: What things have richly rewarded the time invested in mastering them?

#108

Post by h1d »

idrios wrote: post #94
h1d wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't have been the programmer I am now without learning English. Everything starts in English. Every other languages catch up after a few years.

What's your native language? A year ago I started learning Chinese and I'm wondering if there will ever be a day that it helps me be a better engineer or programmer.

I'm Japanese. Too bad Japanese software industry is lagging behind due to the language barrier.
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