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Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

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Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#51

Post by cheesymuffin »

c22 wrote: post #26
cheesymuffin wrote: post #11

I find that having a 163 IQ generally helps -- people in this bracket generally don't have such problems because they can easily reason out of their current situation. I can empathize with people who can't, though, but it's definitely a mental state.

My iq has been measured at 158 and I have definitely felt trapped before. Sure I "reasoned out" of these situations eventually, but I suspect most do. Do you suppose there are people who really find themselves trapped forever?

There is a BIG difference between 158 and 163.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#52

Post by FiddlyPack »

cheesymuffin wrote: post #11

I find that having a 163 IQ generally helps -- people in this bracket generally don't have such problems because they can easily reason out of their current situation. I can empathize with people who can't, though, but it's definitely a mental state.

This is a surprising perspective to hear. All the really smart people I know happen to struggle with a variety of difficulties in this area, and I think it’s related to a paralysis of choice, not just in terms of choosing between outcomes available to them personally, but also in choosing between different outcomes for their friends and the world, none of which is utopia.

On the other hand, the few sub-100 IQ people that I know well enough to have a sense of seem to be more content with their lot in life, having long ago learned that they do not have much agency to change it, and thus are more accepting of whatever situation they find themselves in.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#53

Post by chpmrc »

phamilton wrote: post #34
chpmrc wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you ever wonder if you should have, instead, pursued something on the side or maybe enjoy other aspects of your life, rather than make your job your primary source of fulfillment? I'm in a similar situation.

I got heavily involved in open source at the time (elixir), which was cool. I picked up a few hobbies, helped my wife start something on the side. I wouldn't say my job is my primary source of fulfillment, but it is an important part of my personal fulfillment. And part of this was the timing. I felt I was too young in my career to settle with beomg bored. That may change the next time this happens. Reach out to me d…

Thank you for your answer! I'll get your contact right away.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#54

Post by gscott »

veryworried wrote: post #14

Many years ago when I was no longer happy with my job I began to quietly search for a new one. My current job paid well but I had hit a wall and felt I was not going to make any progress on my career if I stayed there. I ended up getting an excellent offer for a job across the country that even included relocation expenses. I was thrilled and ready to put in my two weeks notice and pack it all up except when I went t…

This also happened to me. My wife didn't support our moving so we didn't move. I'm now 15 years later in the same stage of my career with little possiblity of upward movement and eventually divorced anyway for other reasons. Best to move on and up.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#55

Post by sys_64738 »

Neil44 wrote: post #46
cheesymuffin wrote: post #11

I find that having a 163 IQ generally helps -- people in this bracket generally don't have such problems because they can easily reason out of their current situation. I can empathize with people who can't, though, but it's definitely a mental state.

People with high IQ's are often better at fooling themselves.

Trump has an IQ of 156 apparently!

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#56

Post by kyo3 »

dominotw wrote: post #31
kyo3 wrote: post #20

Guess I’m just another in the mix here, I’ve been putting out job apps for some time and thought I had a promotion coming that was given to someone else for what appears to be political reasons as I’m more qualified. At least I have more motivation to move somewhere else I suppose because being passed on for someone I have helped grow daily is just the icing on the cake and shows how blind the company is to their eve…

Curious what were the political reasons.

I think I was just venting this morning more than anything, I have to assume my interview went worse than theirs or I’ll just end up incredibly bitter.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#57

Post by tyingq »

cheesymuffin wrote: post #51
c22 wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My iq has been measured at 158 and I have definitely felt trapped before. Sure I "reasoned out" of these situations eventually, but I suspect most do. Do you suppose there are people who really find themselves trapped forever?

There is a BIG difference between 158 and 163.

It is within what's quoted as the acceptable margin of error of 5 points. It's 5 points either direction, so it's possible GP's IQ exceeds yours.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#58

Post by darreld »

Yes, I feel trapped right now. I work for the federal government and have for the past 13 years, for a specific reason. That reason has been fulfilled and I deeply dislike my position but momentum is a strong pull. Also the situation is complicated, I feel, by my age. I'm 62 but not ready to retire. I love software and development and feel I have more years to work.

Re: Ask HN: Have you ever felt trapped?

#59

Post by dltnhic »

Scanner771 wrote: post #28

I've been trying to leave my company for the past year but 6 months ago I had a severe concussion at work. I was put on medical leave. It's been 6 months now though since I'm on medical leave I can't apply to anything. I also have been having trouble with my doctor. He doesn't do any test and just asks questions and doesn't even make eye contact with me. I have been trying to see a new doctor but I have to get approv…

A person close to me had to deal with a concussion for years. Of course each situation is different. Also, I am not a doctor. We know this for a fact, that had he taken less drastic measures after the injury, he would have had to deal with less consequences. Moving, changing doctors, he remained unhappy for long. From what I know, he had far more trouble than you with his first doctor. I personally learnt something from his experience, that when there’s a chance that things can go very very wrong, avoiding or taking actions that would shake the status quo too much is a terrible idea.

The unfortunate fact is the possibility that some part of the cognition takes years to return. He appreciates how he has changed now. It’s been years. I think some of his changes are also due to aging and the hardship. In hindsight, alienating the company might seem like a very terrible idea for him. Fact is, if neither of you were injured, there’d be no such conversations. The core of the problem is the concussion and that is tough to deal with. His was very severe and led to a long pause in his career. As for the doctor, and reiterating that I am not a doctor, my understanding is that there’s little a new doctor can do beyond recommending practice sessions. Unless the science has changed very recently or medical practice is different where you are. Best of luck. Feel free to leave a way so I can contact in case there’s more I can share.

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