Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things • Hacker News Board

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#301

Post by inopinatus » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 8:28 AM UTC

cperciva wrote: post #300

inopinatus wrote: post #254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I prepare a week of pills in a 14-slot pill case (mon-sun w/AM & PM). This results in a very simple decision: if the pills are present for the current timeslot, take them (with the sole exception of Sunday night post-refill, which is easily checked because the box is full). I also get at-a-glance evidence of any missed dose. When the case is empty on Sunday night, I refill all the slots. Process requires careful cons…

Yeah, I've considered that. But I always have my laptop, whereas a pill case would be an additional thing to bring when I'm travelling. Obviously for anyone who has gone for more than 24 hours without checking their email in the past 20 years, the tradeoffs might work out differently.

It's a rare and exhilarating experience to go without that most basic form of messaging, but I was off the grid completely on a remote shore in Alaska for a week last year. I also cross national borders quite regularly and therefore have contingency plans in case some overzealous/corrupt official decides to separate me from my communication devices.

And of course one is not exempt from natural disasters, or the periodic collapse of civilisations.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#302

Post by locusm » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 9:29 AM UTC

When Im debugging and I turn nothing up the first look through I often speak out loud what Im thinking. I find it helps in most cases, it also helps Im at home while doing it.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#303

Post by Theodores » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 9:34 AM UTC

lobster_johnson wrote: post #238

ianamartin wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah, yes. The old upside-down-tomato-sauce-can-next-to-the-door-to-remember-my-umbrella trick. That's always been a classic. The first couple of times I tried it, it didn't work very well. I was trying to leave in the morning, and I tripped over the can, and I was all, "Who the fuck put a can of tomatoes in front of the door?" And I kicked it out of the way and left without my umbrella. Then I realized I wasn't going…

Instead of something elaborate that's taking the place of the thing you want to remember, how about writing a sticky note with "remember the umbrella" on it?

Or just use built in memory. If something is worth remembering then remember it, simple. I do not consider diaries that vital or to-do lists as being anything more than long term storage. It is not the same as knowing what you should be doing that day. For that built in memory does nicely as does having details at hand on a phone.

Regarding the umbrella, if I forgot it then I would be pleased with my brain for filtering that useless requirement out.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#304

Post by atombender » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 12:32 PM UTC

Theodores wrote: post #303

lobster_johnson wrote: post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Instead of something elaborate that's taking the place of the thing you want to remember, how about writing a sticky note with "remember the umbrella" on it?

Or just use built in memory. If something is worth remembering then remember it, simple. I do not consider diaries that vital or to-do lists as being anything more than long term storage. It is not the same as knowing what you should be doing that day. For that built in memory does nicely as does having details at hand on a phone. Regarding the umbrella, if I forgot it then I would be pleased with my brain for filter…

In a thread about remembering little things, you're actually advocating that forgetting them is good?

I used an umbrella on my way to work last week. I forgot to bring it home. I was sad because it was raining the next day, too. I was not pleased with my brain for filtering out that arguably useful requirement.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#305

Post by thinnerlizzy » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 12:44 PM UTC

ianamartin wrote: post #296

IIAOPSW wrote: post #289

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. An umbrella fundamentalist. Is there a law of the internet that for every trivial thing you can find someone with absurdly strong opinions leaving comments about it?

You have no idea how much umbrellas suck on NYC sidewalks. You literally have no clue. They are awful.

Golf umbrellas suck. Smaller umbrellas are no more a nuisance than than circumventing slow walking tourists on the street.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#306

Post by ThrustVectoring » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 1:10 PM UTC

Splines wrote: post #228

dheera wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And then you forget where you put your car keys ...

I do this too. I always leave my keys and wallet in the same spot. It majorly screws up my routine if I pick up my wallet to pay for something online and forget to put it back where it belongs, and I can't find it the next day. Or I leave it in the office and the next morning I have to remember I left it in the office, and it's not hiding somewhere at home.

I'd suggest memorizing your primary credit card number. You both don't have to remember to put your card back, and you don't have to find it before buying things online.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#307

Post by caf » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 1:15 PM UTC

I feel like adopting a version of this system could help avoid those occasional forgotten-child-in-car tragedies.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#308

Post by CalRobert » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 1:24 PM UTC

IIAOPSW wrote: post #289

ianamartin wrote: post #284

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. This is by far my most highly rated post on hacker news. I want to clarify that this is utter bullshit, and that I don't actually do this. Well, most of this. I have easier ways of working from home. Like, I put an event on my boss's calendar that says I'm working from home. And I hate umbrellas. I fucking hate them. If you live in New York City and you use an umbrella, I want you to go home and die right now. Y…

Wow. An umbrella fundamentalist. Is there a law of the internet that for every trivial thing you can find someone with absurdly strong opinions leaving comments about it?

It's something quite a few people have opinions on; usually in rainy cities with crowded sidewalks. I see very few people using umbrellas in central Dublin, for what it's worth. Most annoying are the tourists who seem to think that it's raining just because it's cloudy, and open their gigantic umbrellas in response.

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#309

Post by neohaven » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 1:42 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #255

cperciva wrote: post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then I notice that I'm not getting any email. The cron job runs on my mail server.

What if it malfunctions and the email gets repeatedly delivered? :-p

ahem... A "buffer overflow" is what happens. :P

Re: Why Japan’s Rail Workers Point at Things

#310

Post by PSeitz » Sun, Apr 02, 2017, 1:58 PM UTC

Groxx wrote: post #290

IIAOPSW wrote: post #289

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. An umbrella fundamentalist. Is there a law of the internet that for every trivial thing you can find someone with absurdly strong opinions leaving comments about it?

> Is there a law of the internet that for every trivial thing you can find someone with absurdly strong opinions leaving comments about it? There has to be, it's one of the few constants of the internet. That said: you merely have to experience umbrellas in a high-density environment a couple times before those opinions are the only rational response. Umbrellas are hostile to everyone within reach. (corollary: whenev…

But it does work in Tokyo, maybe it's the people