Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How do you get work done while there is a war in Europe?

news.ycombinator.com

11–20 of 92 posts

Re: Ask HN: How do you get work done while there is a war in Europe?

#16

I don't glue myself to the news. What's the point? Do you really need minute by minute updates of every operation or event? What actionable difference will it make?

You're absolutely correct, it's not needed. I guess it's more like an addiction at this time I can't overcome (yet).

If it's any consolation you're not the only one. I know that it is not helpful to check news sites or scroll through twitter ... and yet it's hard to motivate myself to focus on actual work knowing what's going on.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get work done while there is a war in Europe?

#17
I am not in Europe, but American, and this war does affect me, since we are the largest member of NATO, but also the first target of Russian aggression in this weird neo-Soviet era if Russia decides to deploy nukes (a low, but non-zero, chance).

I give the news 15 minutes of my time every day. Even when events like this happen, 15 minutes.

I, nor you, can meaningfully change the course of events; even if we could, neither of us can tell if we would improve things or make them worse. The only people who can change this now are the Russians starting a civil war in their own country to overthrow their leader to save their brothers and sisters in Ukraine, and I wish them all luck.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get work done while there is a war in Europe?

#18
post #13

Stop amusing yourself with stuff that you don’t actually enjoy. That’s all following Twitter “news” is. Entertainment.

The point is, I am not doing it for my amusement - it's something else. More like a need/urge to stay in the loop. I had the same sensation when Covid hit in 2020.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get work done while there is a war in Europe?

#19

The richer you are the more you can donate to assist the victims of war. So check the news only a few times a day and work hard to be in a position to help. I should follow my own advice.

Project Dynamo has caught my eye and I donated to them. They're helping citizens evacuate and flee to other countries. It's a registered non-profit and claims to be ran by military veterans.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get work done while there is a war in Europe?

#20
It's not easy, doubly so for Ukrainians like me. I've decided to take hours-long breaks from touching my phone or using my browser for anything but work. I like to take impromptu 5 minute breaks while working if I'm stuck or frustrated with something. Have to end that and become more disciplined, otherwise the news and the sadness and the fury just consumes me. Thursday and Friday were write-offs, I'm determined to make today different.
Post reply on HN