Nothing (or nearly nothing) is black and white. It's shades of gray. Understand where _this thing_ is at on the spectrum.
Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
41–50 of 839 posts
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#42The greatest strengths are almost always also the greatest weaknesses.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#43Language is thought.
But like the chicken and egg paradox, how can one come before the other? I was incapable (I think) of formulating even the concept of "Gestalt" until I had heard the word for it, had it explained to me.
Now I see the concept of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts everywhere.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#44"It's not done when you can't add to it, it's done when there's nothing left to take away." Ken Segall (former ad executive that worked with Steve Jobs) shared this during a talk in Ann Arbor at the Michigan Theater in 2018.
That idea is from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, actually.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#45"Nothing is ever personal." The way people treat you, has nothing to do with you. They are just living out their own stories. Related idea: "You train others how to treat you." Think reinforcement learning as applied to training a dog. (And I love dogs, have the deepest respect for them). The concept isn't that different when applied to our social interactions.
You have to accept the world doesn't revolve around you. and that's hard for people.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#46Nick Cave, on writer's block: "My advice to you is to change your basic relationship to songwriting. You are not the ‘Great Creator’ of your songs, you are simply their servant, and the songs will come to you when you have adequately prepared yourself to receive them. They are not inside you, unable to get out; rather, they are outside of you, unable to get in." https://www.theredhandfiles.com/do-u-have-any-spare-lyr…
I cannot fathom how this metaphysics would help me at all.
And I’m both religious and a film major/screenwriter.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#47Passive income. Or recognizing at least the goal of increasing your income/time ratio.
> the goal of increasing your income/time ratio.
Not sure that's quite the right simplification of the appeal of passive income. Your time is fixed, the appeal of passive income for many is recovering more of your time. There's always more money you could make if you just get that next raise or promotion, so the most straightforward way to maximize your income/time is just to climb the corporate ladder and make more income.
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#48“The universe is a cruel, uncaring void. The key to being happy isn't a search for meaning. It's to just keep yourself busy with unimportant nonsense, and eventually, you'll be dead.” Thanks Mr.Peanutbutter
Underrated comment. Bojack Horseman is one of the best shows out there :)
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#49"Less is more" Applicable to programming, applicable to life. Covers everything from device convergence to PR reviews to retirement planning. I discovered that spending less on personal happiness brought me more personal happiness. Try it sometime, give yourself permission to give away half of your stuff and see if you don't feel better.
I remember when I used to work at a pizza shop the manager would always say "where here to feed them, not fatten them".
Re: Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life
#50Learned Optimism & Explanatory Style:
- Permanence: Optimists point to specific temporary causes for negative events; pessimists point to permanent causes.
- Pervasiveness: Optimistic people compartmentalize helplessness, whereas pessimistic people assume that failure in one area of life means failure in life as a whole.
- Personalization: Optimists blame bad events on causes outside of themselves, whereas pessimists blame themselves for events that occur.