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Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

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Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#21

Post by tzs »

aaronbrethorst wrote: post #7

Do the health issues stem from being in front of a computer, or sitting at the computer? Even if you transition over to a career as a bike messenger[1], the odds are pretty good that an alternative career will require you to spend a significant amount of time sitting, either in conference rooms or in front of a computer. Although I have yet to take the plunge, I hear nothing but good things from people who have trans…

> I'm sure sitting on a bike is better for you than sitting on a chair

Bike seats are pretty hard on penises, though. Google "penis and bike seats" for a ton of articles (including some interesting specialty bike seats to alleviate the problems).

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#22

Post by mattm1 »

wallflower wrote: post #18

Re: Health Issues Assuming they are RSI related: I highly recommend "Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries" by Sharon Butler http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572240393 RSI cannot be cured but it can be managed. For those of you who are fortunate to be able to take keyboard input for granted, please be wary of any soreness or minor pain. Over time, pain and soreness can become chronic…

OP here - my noprocast settings wouldn't have allowed me to post until tomorrow.

I have a little RSI but I have taken steps so that it doesn't bother me anymore (switching to Dvorak layout was probably the best move).

Actually, my health problems are with my skin. When I'm sitting at a computer, my skin seems to get itchy - maybe there isn't enough blood circulating or my posture is too stressful.

A couple other people mentioned standing desks. I tried a make-shift one for a couple days but didn't really like it. I might give it another try though.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#23

Post by mattm1 »

blackboxxx wrote: post #15

It's worrisome you would ask a bunch of strangers what profession you should take up. We don't know you from Moses. We don't know if you like crossword puzzles, make your own maple syrup, or have a lisp. You need to write out a list of what you love to do then explore the possibilities. For what it's worth, here is what I suggest: switch to a stand up desk for any computing tasks. I cobbled together an ugly ad hoc on…

OP here.

I don't see why it's worrisome. This is just one place I am asking for advice. I don't see why people on the Internet assume you will only be asking strangers. This is more of a way to get ideas. If someone says "taxi driver" I'm not going to go out and immediately become a taxi driver.

It's tough to think of jobs that don't require being in front of a computer nowadays. One time we were discussing the olden days of computers and it came up that I asked "What did people do for work before computers?" Then everyone went silent - "Yeah, how did people work before computers?" It's amazing how ubiquitous they have become in such a short time frame.

I've tried the standing desk before for a couple days but didn't really like it. I may try giving it another shot.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#24

Post by zacharycohn »

psykotic wrote: post #16
kunley wrote: post #9

I worked at a building site for a year in a remote place. That was non-profit actually (I also didn't have to spend money for being there) - building a meditation center with friends, but it was great time of my life. I got healthy and had a change to just think of some ideas without rush. I returned to the business with savings somewhat reduced , but with new energy to do stuff. I think with some courage any physica…

> It builds your constitution slowly but in a way that cannot be achieved in a gym, because it happens in a natural way, not artificially. That has an appealing ring to it but could you be more specific? What's a concrete physical task that could not be accomplished by a well-rounded exerciser? I'm not talking about Mr Biceps Curl and his good friend Mr Triceps Kickback but someone who does a mix of pulling sleds, ca…

Crossfit much? :)

I think what he's talking about is the subtle differences between working out and having a job where you're always physically moving. It's the difference between "working out" and "having a healthy lifestyle."

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#25

Post by watmough »

kunley wrote: post #9

I worked at a building site for a year in a remote place. That was non-profit actually (I also didn't have to spend money for being there) - building a meditation center with friends, but it was great time of my life. I got healthy and had a change to just think of some ideas without rush. I returned to the business with savings somewhat reduced , but with new energy to do stuff. I think with some courage any physica…

Another really fantastic way to get healthy is to own a horse, and take care of feeding it, schlepping hay bales, cleaning it, cleaning tack, riding, the whole bit.

There's other animals, but not any I can think of that demand the physical activity that a horse does.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#26

Post by watmough »

mattm1 wrote: post #22
wallflower wrote: post #18

Re: Health Issues Assuming they are RSI related: I highly recommend "Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries" by Sharon Butler http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572240393 RSI cannot be cured but it can be managed. For those of you who are fortunate to be able to take keyboard input for granted, please be wary of any soreness or minor pain. Over time, pain and soreness can become chronic…

OP here - my noprocast settings wouldn't have allowed me to post until tomorrow. I have a little RSI but I have taken steps so that it doesn't bother me anymore (switching to Dvorak layout was probably the best move). Actually, my health problems are with my skin. When I'm sitting at a computer, my skin seems to get itchy - maybe there isn't enough blood circulating or my posture is too stressful. A couple other peop…

You might want to get your vision checked, adjust your screen resolution, color balance your monitor, and try and find a healthy relaxed posture.

Mine is feet resting on my lower desk frame taking the weight of the back of my thighs, with my back supported by the chair, i.e. not unsupported.

This is a big change in posture from how I used to be, and much less stressful.

I'm getting into my mid-40's and I'm still pulling 4 hour programming sessions at night with not much but some stiff legs and tiredness to show.

Also, if you have dry itchy skin, get a RadioShack temperature and humidity device and if the air's too dry, try a humidifier.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#27

Post by corecirculator »

psykotic wrote: post #16
kunley wrote: post #9

I worked at a building site for a year in a remote place. That was non-profit actually (I also didn't have to spend money for being there) - building a meditation center with friends, but it was great time of my life. I got healthy and had a change to just think of some ideas without rush. I returned to the business with savings somewhat reduced , but with new energy to do stuff. I think with some courage any physica…

> It builds your constitution slowly but in a way that cannot be achieved in a gym, because it happens in a natural way, not artificially. That has an appealing ring to it but could you be more specific? What's a concrete physical task that could not be accomplished by a well-rounded exerciser? I'm not talking about Mr Biceps Curl and his good friend Mr Triceps Kickback but someone who does a mix of pulling sleds, ca…

How about doing it for ~8 hrs a day?

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#28

Post by davidcuddeback »

zacharycohn wrote: post #24
psykotic wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It builds your constitution slowly but in a way that cannot be achieved in a gym, because it happens in a natural way, not artificially. That has an appealing ring to it but could you be more specific? What's a concrete physical task that could not be accomplished by a well-rounded exerciser? I'm not talking about Mr Biceps Curl and his good friend Mr Triceps Kickback but someone who does a mix of pulling sleds, ca…

Crossfit much? :) I think what he's talking about is the subtle differences between working out and having a job where you're always physically moving. It's the difference between "working out" and "having a healthy lifestyle."

Yes, "having a healthy lifestyle" means "working out" is something you do just by going through your day and without having to consciously think about it.

I think this TED talk is relavent: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dan_buettner_how_to_live_t...

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#29

Post by psykotic »

zacharycohn wrote: post #24
psykotic wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It builds your constitution slowly but in a way that cannot be achieved in a gym, because it happens in a natural way, not artificially. That has an appealing ring to it but could you be more specific? What's a concrete physical task that could not be accomplished by a well-rounded exerciser? I'm not talking about Mr Biceps Curl and his good friend Mr Triceps Kickback but someone who does a mix of pulling sleds, ca…

Crossfit much? :) I think what he's talking about is the subtle differences between working out and having a job where you're always physically moving. It's the difference between "working out" and "having a healthy lifestyle."

A bunch of the people I went to school with as a young kid are now carpenters, bricklayers, mechanics, etc. A few are quite fit but that's because they're active outside of work. Most of them have big pot bellies, eat like shit, drink too much and are overall not what you'd call healthy. The idea that having a physically-oriented job where you're working outside much of the time tends to lead to a healthy body and lifestyle is one I'd dispute. If you're some sort of mythic backwoods ascetic who hunts his own food and builds his own dwelling then sure, but that's only a viable path for the most extreme and committed.

Re: Ask HN: Career Change to something without computers

#30

Post by [deleted] »

mattm1 wrote: post #22
wallflower wrote: post #18

Re: Health Issues Assuming they are RSI related: I highly recommend "Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries" by Sharon Butler http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572240393 RSI cannot be cured but it can be managed. For those of you who are fortunate to be able to take keyboard input for granted, please be wary of any soreness or minor pain. Over time, pain and soreness can become chronic…

OP here - my noprocast settings wouldn't have allowed me to post until tomorrow. I have a little RSI but I have taken steps so that it doesn't bother me anymore (switching to Dvorak layout was probably the best move). Actually, my health problems are with my skin. When I'm sitting at a computer, my skin seems to get itchy - maybe there isn't enough blood circulating or my posture is too stressful. A couple other peop…

[deleted]
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