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Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

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Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#211

Post by squirrelman »

jmcdowell wrote: post #156
torvald wrote: post #18

Hackerspaces! Check this list [0], maybe there is one close to you – and if you by any chance live in Oslo – swing by Hackeriet [1]. [0] https://wiki.hackerspaces.org/List_of_Hacker_Spaces [1] https://hackeriet.no/index.en.html

Out of interest, do you find many working on software projects at hacker spaces? Each one I've looked at online seems to have more of a focus on hardware, electronics, metal/wood working with little mention of software. The caveat is that I've only really looked at UK based ones so this may be regional. I've been trying to find a space that has a similar energy as my old university CS lab. There was a bit of a perfec…

The "open source club" events at the Chaitin School [0] sound like what you're looking for, but I don't think there are events on over the summer.

[0]: https://chaitinschool.org/

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#212

Post by bombcar »

trailrunner46 wrote: post #204

Might seem like and odd one to some but I became a volunteer firefighter and it has been very rewarding for many reasons but the connection with the community is a big one (most members grew up in the town and a central part of it).

You can also get a cool license plate (in most states)!

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#213

Post by Darkphibre »

bsnnkv wrote: post #102

I live in Seattle, Cap Hill. Before I moved here and when I first moved here (from London) people told me that Seattle was a terrible place to make friends and build a community. My experience has been exactly the opposite; this has been the best place I've ever lived for making friends and building community, especially as a sober person. The order of importance, I have found community here in: - Swing dancing, both…

Oh! I'm on the east side. I've been attending Brazillian Zouk classes, but I've been interested in swing. Where do you go?

And I completely agree about event organization! It really introduces you to a wider swath of people than your initial search may have turned up.

Way to go!

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#214

Post by bombcar »

silisili wrote: post #192
bombcar wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Gardening should be possible in the southwest, but you may have to utilize greenhouses or whatever the opposite of one is. Much of the "desert" will bloom if you pour enough water on it (and drip irrigation does wonders). But you can't do a "midwest" style garden.

Right, and we're used to that style of gardening (and tropical, we've lived all over). Here the main problems are that the soil is completely garbage, it never rains, and there's too much sun. She's had limited success planting things in large bags full of garden soil, watering every day, and building a system of shades from the afternoon sun - it's just a big hassle compared to gardening in a lot of the eastern side…

Yep. The first can be repaired, the second compensated for, but the third is the killer. You either have to vastly move the growing season (growing in winter seems strange) or you have to learn new tricks that don't "feel right" like growing things up against a building to get shade half the day.

Composting can be a great way to improve the soil, but it takes years to really get going. But if you're going to be there for years ...

And maybe you could even get "donations" from neighbors! I know one person who setup compost jars for her neighbors to get more compostables.

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#215

Post by jimt1234 »

RajT88 wrote: post #46

A friend of mine is an extrovert with a touch of Agoraphobia. (The agoraphobia came on in middle age) Most of his social life is online games these days like Destiny 2, Dead Island 1/2, etc. He's happy enough. I did the online circle of friends thing back in the Destiny 1 days and it was fun enough. I'm less extroverted, so don't need as much social time.

Extrovert and agoraphobic? That must be painful for your friend. Poor guy.

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#216

Post by leesalminen »

bombcar wrote: post #199
leesalminen wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried applying to my local rotary club online in 2019. Basically just a web form expressing interest. I got an automated email saying someone would reach out in the next 30 days. I was met with complete radio silence. Never heard anything back at all. I was a Rotary exchange student 20 years ago which completely changed the trajectory of my life (for the better), and was excited to help the next generation with bec…

You'll find that groups like the Rotary or Knights of Columbus or the Shriners are almost technologically phobic - it's entirely possible that your automated email came from a web form and your interest was forwarded to an email box of a member who had died years ago. Phone or in person is often the only way to get things done, unless there happens to be a tech-savvy person involved.

I could see that for sure. At the time I couldn’t find any easy contact info for my local club and thought it would be inappropriate to just show up to the monthly lunch meeting. Maybe I’ll try that though!

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#217

Post by the-printer »

I’ve found a profound virtue, sense of responsibility and selflessness since I’ve taken an oath to be in the company of a distinct group of men in my community five times daily at a maximum (or a minimum, depending on the circumstance).

We don’t gather for the sake of gathering with each other, but for the sake of the shared oath that consists of various practices and beliefs, one of which requires that we gather.

And the venue of this gathering is at enough locations that I can have this experience far from home even. The sense of community is transcends the boundaries of my locale.

I’m a Muslim. The place is a Masjid.

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#218

Post by bombcar »

leesalminen wrote: post #216
bombcar wrote: post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'll find that groups like the Rotary or Knights of Columbus or the Shriners are almost technologically phobic - it's entirely possible that your automated email came from a web form and your interest was forwarded to an email box of a member who had died years ago. Phone or in person is often the only way to get things done, unless there happens to be a tech-savvy person involved.

I could see that for sure. At the time I couldn’t find any easy contact info for my local club and thought it would be inappropriate to just show up to the monthly lunch meeting. Maybe I’ll try that though!

That's what I'd do, at worst they tell you it's private and secret, but take your info down. Most likely they'd initiate you on the spot.

Re: Ask HN: Where have you found community outside of work?

#219

Post by milancurcic »

My son died at birth in August of 2022. A month later, my wife found a group of 30-some Loss Dads who at the time met monthly via Zoom. I quickly bonded with all the Dads there, despite most of us never having met each other in person. I attribute our strong bond to us sharing a rare and intense life experience, as well as to the fact that it's still difficult to find support, and even willingness to talk about, with friends and family who have not experienced child loss. Fast forward to today, we have an active Discord server and meet on Zoom bi-weekly. The group has also recently filed for a non-profit status and has raised funds and materials to help grieving parents as well as hospitals.

If you're a grieving Dad and are looking for support from other grieving Dads, please email me at milancurcic@hey.com.

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