One of my favorite subreddit is /r/AskOldPeople. The posts and replies put a lot of things going on in life in perspective.
Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
101–110 of 281 posts
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#102This is a mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and Stoic philosophy: Ask yourself this, why do you do anything? For the sake of Profit? Recognition? Love? Or return of any kind? Any deed done with reward in mind creates an expectation which, if not met, causes suffering. Similarly, you will end up focusing more on the reward than the task itself and will unable to be loyal to the task. The only reason you must do a task is becaus…
Define suffering, because the absolute of what you describe requires life with zero emotion and most would agree that a life like that would be depressing as hell. I've never met a depressed person who didn't say they were suffering.
I think the idea is that emotion should never interfere with your actions.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#103Best advice I got was from my psychology professor. He said "if someone asks you to do something, especially in a social situation, tell them you will think about it". It prevents you from saying yes under pressure. I still rememeber using it when someone at my old workplace wanted me to sign up to be in a club (that had a fee). I never joined and I am proud that I didn't. Also, I've learned a few things from Jordan…
> if someone asks you to do something, especially in a social situation, tell them you will think about it There's not a single socially capable person that will not straight away understand that "I will think about it" means "no". May as well say no.
What is the way to genuinely communicate “I will think about it” then?
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#104This is a mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and Stoic philosophy: Ask yourself this, why do you do anything? For the sake of Profit? Recognition? Love? Or return of any kind? Any deed done with reward in mind creates an expectation which, if not met, causes suffering. Similarly, you will end up focusing more on the reward than the task itself and will unable to be loyal to the task. The only reason you must do a task is becaus…
A task that is autotelic is purposeful in itself (it is it’s own end goal, instead of being a means to another end goal). This has been argued to be one of the defining characteristics of games. Summarized into a saying: Treat every task as an end in itself, and you will experience more enjoyment. Enjoyment is a value in its own right. So do it, just for the sake of it. I think this is more important in craftsmanship…
And it's even more important in posts of power and responsibility. Carry the public office not because you want money, appreciation, and power, but because as a qualified person it's your duty to do so. Seek nothing but the joy of having been loyal to the job.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#105For young, single heterosexual men; cultivate deep platonic friendships with women. Get a hobby, do charity work, find something where you meet and become good friends with multiple women of different ages and backgrounds. Do not ever attempt to date any of these women. Why? Because most men know woefully few women, and your life will be much richer. A lot of men know very little about the experiences, fears, and hop…
I'd say do that, but with men. Men of good character, morals, aspirations and goals. Platonic friendship between men and women is a myth. (Exceptions exists, but only confirm the rule)
I disagree but I am curious, what makes you think it’s a myth?
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#106Earlier quoted context omitted.
> if someone asks you to do something, especially in a social situation, tell them you will think about it There's not a single socially capable person that will not straight away understand that "I will think about it" means "no". May as well say no.
What is the way to genuinely communicate “I will think about it” then?
Explain which aspects you need to think about and why, and give a deadline for when you'll have the answer about those particular aspects.
The cases where you genuinely need to "think about it" are few and far between. I would even go as far as saying they are inexistant. The vast majority will be "I don't want to do it, but do I like you enough to do it?".
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#107"no matter where you go in life, there you are"
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#108Be comfortable being alone, by yourself and do not seek the company of others for the sake of any company.
In the words of Omar Khayyam:
To wisely live your life, you don't need to know much Just remember two main rules for the beginning: You better starve, than eat whatever And better be alone, than with whoever.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#109For young, single heterosexual men; cultivate deep platonic friendships with women. Get a hobby, do charity work, find something where you meet and become good friends with multiple women of different ages and backgrounds. Do not ever attempt to date any of these women. Why? Because most men know woefully few women, and your life will be much richer. A lot of men know very little about the experiences, fears, and hop…
I'd say do that, but with men. Men of good character, morals, aspirations and goals. Platonic friendship between men and women is a myth. (Exceptions exists, but only confirm the rule)
I'm friends with most of my friends wife and most of my co-workers and honestly not super interested in banging any of them.
I also have two female friends since childhood and we never done anything and we keep in contact even though we live in different states. Yey facebook!
Re: Ask HN: What is the best advice you got on any aspect of life?
#110For young, single heterosexual men; cultivate deep platonic friendships with women. Get a hobby, do charity work, find something where you meet and become good friends with multiple women of different ages and backgrounds. Do not ever attempt to date any of these women. Why? Because most men know woefully few women, and your life will be much richer. A lot of men know very little about the experiences, fears, and hop…
I'd say do that, but with men. Men of good character, morals, aspirations and goals. Platonic friendship between men and women is a myth. (Exceptions exists, but only confirm the rule)
> Platonic friendship between men and women is a myth.
I must tell my friends about this, they will be distressed.