My day to day experience with this is cooking with what happens to be available in the kitchen
How my genius roommate changed my perspective
211–220 of 247 posts
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#212This reminds me of an 80s tv show called MacGyver which impressed on me as a kid that you can use what you got to get out of tricky situations. I've done loads of different things as a result of this attitude. The only time I stopped to think about the show's wider influence was when I was at University (some time ago) in the Engineering building with my best friend (an Engineering student) and a phone went off with…
>After reading this article I wonder if there are MacGyver-esque influences on younger generations? Just type "Lifehack" into youtube and search. Extremely low signal to noise ratio in videos made with monetization above all else. It's quite tragic. A counterexample would be colinfurze[0] who makes very entertaining and inspiring videos. Apart from being a two legged OSHA violation his content is top notch. [0]: http…
One of my favorites in this vein is the channel below. This guy really knows how to "do what you can with what you have available".
https://www.youtube.com/c/K%C3%AAnhs%C3%A1ngt%E1%BA%A1oVN-tr...
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#213This reminds me of an 80s tv show called MacGyver which impressed on me as a kid that you can use what you got to get out of tricky situations. I've done loads of different things as a result of this attitude. The only time I stopped to think about the show's wider influence was when I was at University (some time ago) in the Engineering building with my best friend (an Engineering student) and a phone went off with…
The entertainment industry has a lot of influence over young minds, I often thought that could be the way to get more students into STEM subjects.
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#214Thanks for sharing this impressive story.
What happened to your room mate professionally?
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#215I did similar things many times, though not as sophisticated. Using a chair on a table as a standing desk, etc. It's fine but at some point becomes an eyesore and makes you want some proper things.
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#216Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's probably a story to move the argument forward. But I can explain as the original Chinese version needs a bit of interpretation. Basically the formula can help soldiers fight during winter so whoever has it has an advantage over the other side. BTW the Chinese version if anyone is interested: 宋人有善为不龟手之药者，世世以洴澼絖为事。客闻之，请买其方百金。聚族而谋曰：『我世世为洴澼絖，不过数金；今一朝而鬻技百金，请与之。』客得之，以说吴王。越有难，吴王使之将，冬与越人水战，大败越人，裂地而封之。 Also to answer the…
BTW, great example why machine translation still doesn't work for quite different languages. Google Translate outputs the following given the Chinese input: > The people of Song Dynasty have good medicines for not tortoises, and they have always used 洴澼絖 as their business. If you hear it, please buy one hundred gold. Gathering together and seeking out the family, said: "My life is a 紴澼絖, but I only count gold; now I…
Haha I guess it's extremely difficult to translate ancient Chinese into English. TBH there are a few words I don't recognize.
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#217In India, we have a word for this type of "engineering" - jugaad. A great tool to use at an individual level. A terrible mindset to have as a society.
(Author here) First time I've heard about this. Care to share more?
In India, you will find all kinds of homemade vehicles on the streets and similar ingenious use of existing materials, although it seems to be mostly applied toward providing a service or making street food (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rnG91loNzk).
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#218Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#219(Author here) I am deeply humbled by your engagement, comments, critiques, and insights. Needless to say, this inspires me to write and share more. Thank you Hacker News. You are truly one of a kind.
Thank you! I'm curious about what that guy is doing now?
(Author here) Zhang's experimenting a ton with 3D printers, making short films, and conducting music. The way I see it, there's much more to come from him...
Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective
#220Earlier quoted context omitted.
I hadn't really thought about it in these terms before, but your comment made me realize this mindset is probably a big part of why I like spending time in wilderness areas. Being without cell service miles from another group of people very much forces a "figure it out" attitude. Solving a tricky situation, with some consequence at stake and using a hodgepodge of resources, is deeply satisfying for me.
(Author here) Do you think that "figure it out" attitude helps make you become more present and alive? The moments I come out of my numb and autonomous ways of operating, I feel "alive," and it's often associated with that "figure it out" feeling.
I enjoy what I refer to as 'bodge DIY' especially when working in my garden, using whatever is available to complete little projects without buying new stuff (materials and also sometimes tools). I certainly get satisfaction when an idea pans out, and in that sense feel more alive than if I'd just followed some instructions using the correct stuff.
One good example occurred during our first COVID lockdown (in the UK) in 2019. DIY stores weren't open at all for a while. I'd decided to paint the roof of my summer house and while prepping it discovered that a couple of places had got completely rotten. We had rain storms forecast for a few days hence, so I had to make and attach a waterproof / windproof 'nosecone' for the roof using only the stuff available in my shed / garage. Very enjoyable, once I figured it out.