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Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

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Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#61

Post by gonational »

monkeynotes wrote: post #37
gonational wrote: post #23

I think the most important skill is learning how to gain access to zero-interest loans from the Federal Reserve. This skill allows you to lend to your buddies who can purchase distressed businesses and properties for pennies on the dollar, which gives you and them the opportunity to make billions in profits while everybody else is suffering. I’m still trying to learn how to do this; if anybody has any information abo…

I hope this is sarcasm, I hope people aren't actually as cynical as this.

I hope you’re not as optimistic as that.

GM lost the American taxpayers north of $10MMM. That was enough to purchase over 500,000 vehicles at the time. 500 fucking thousand vehicles. That’s just the amount of money that they lost us with their “good Bank bad Bank” style IP-related scam. Do you think this is not reason enough to be cynical during financial crises?

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#62

Post by ericsoderstrom »

> the effects of the global domino triggered by conoravirus will echo for many years to come.

Why? As far as I know there's no underlying systemic financial reason for a depression or recession. The virus sucks. Some companies will no doubt have a bad quarter or two. But viruses pass, and this one will too.

> I'm afraid that in this new reality my software/management skills won't be of any use in 6 months.

That seems hyperbolic.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#64

Post by battery_cowboy »

tmountain wrote: post #43
gonational wrote: post #23

I think the most important skill is learning how to gain access to zero-interest loans from the Federal Reserve. This skill allows you to lend to your buddies who can purchase distressed businesses and properties for pennies on the dollar, which gives you and them the opportunity to make billions in profits while everybody else is suffering. I’m still trying to learn how to do this; if anybody has any information abo…

which gives you the opportunity to make billions in profits while everybody else is suffering. And hopefully utilize those profits to help fewer suffer.

You should do stand up comedy.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#65

Post by teddyvangogh »

making masks.

Calling All People Who Sew And Make: You Can Help Make Masks For 2020 Healthcare Worker PPE Shortage

"In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2020/03/20/calling-all-...

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#66

Post by Trasmatta »

1121redblackgo wrote: post #55

Mental self-care and acceptance of negative experiences. Working out in small areas/body weight exercises. Cooking on a budget. Getting out of your own head and own problems and into thinking about other people, is also immensely psychologically healthy.

> Getting out of your own head and own problems and into thinking about other people, is also immensely psychologically healthy.

Hmm, anyone have any tips about what to do if this actually just overwhelms and depresses you? I can deal emotionally with my own problems fairly well. But when I start thinking about the wide spread suffering among both the people I know and care about as well as the world at large,I get immediately overwhelmed and start to shut down.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#67

Post by ryanianian »

rolph wrote: post #3

develop a flare for barter and trade. learn how to provide the things people actually need. general construction trades and adhoc engineering. farming. hunting fishing. veternary skills surgical skills midwivery dentistry. localized /offgrid/on site power generation. production of fuel from raw materials.

Adding to this: learn the basics of ham radio. Not only is the theory fun if you're the math/science type, it's also a lifeline service if cellphone or satellite communications are down. You can learn enough in a weekend to get an amateur license and buy $20 radios that will let you talk across the state or further.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#68

Post by glouwbug »

pen2l wrote: post #58
tmountain wrote: post #32

Cooking from basic ingredients. Growing a basic seasonal garden. Finding ways to be happy with less and appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Placing value on human relationships more than material things. The art of conversation. Enjoying simple/affordable/accessible hobbies.

All of these things seem learnable with available resources except the art of conversation, something that I actually need a lot of work on. And recommendations on how I can improve on this?

More emotion, less logic. People like to feel good. They don't necessarily want to learn something new.

Crack jokes, banter, wear a smile, but don't be a clown.

Best way is to surround yourself by people who do the same. Do not feel discouraged when they "throw a knife" (take the piss) your way, as it's a test of your conversational and mental frame. Agree and amplify, and laughs will be had.

Then again, don't surround yourself with bullies. A true friend stabs from the front to test and grow your mental frame, while enemies stab from the back to undermine your frame.

Point is, have fun. Don't be a walking talking wikipedia page of logical facts.

Re: Ask HN: What skills will be useful during an upcoming recession/depression?

#69

Post by chvid »

sideway wrote: post #25
chvid wrote: post #21

Knowing Chinese ...

Would you mind elaborating?

It is still too early to tell but what if the corona virus pandemic ends up hurting the us and Europe much more than China? Pushing the shift towards Asia/China into overdrive.
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