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Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

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Re: Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

#121

Post by themacguffinman »

hansbo wrote: post #112
themacguffinman wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the US, researchers estimate that 41% of all first marriages end in divorce [1]. I guess it's technically true that divorces are in the minority, but it does sound like there's a lot of regret there. [1] https://www.wf-lawyers.com/divorce-statistics-and-facts/

Divorce doesn't mean regret though. You can have a wonderful time with a partner and then decide the you want something else later, at a different point in life.

The website lists a breakdown of common reasons given for divorce:

- Lack of commitment 73%

- Argue too much 56%

- Infidelity 55%

- Married too young 46%

- Unrealistic expectations 45%

- Lack of equality in the relationship 44%

- Lack of preparation for marriage 41%

- Domestic Violence or Abuse 25%

(Respondents often cited more that one reason, therefore the percentages add up to much more than 100 percent)

All of those seem like regretful reasons to me. There's no evidence that unregretful reasons are a significant factor in divorces (even anecdotally I've never heard of this, but if you know one then I'd find that pretty interesting). Still sounds like there's a lot of regret out there.

Re: Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

#122

Post by Thursday24 »

Read "Why greatness cannot be planned: The myth of the objective" for understanding the context of my response. The key trope shown in this book is the power of "treasure hunter" agents & the benefits of following "interestingness". The path to greatness is continually collecting "stepping stones" that take you further, no matter the direction. If you continuously focus on finding the next step, the next exploration point, and if you remain active, I am sure that you'll come to find wonderful things on your journey. The planet needs more people who are willing to follow their own interests.

Re: Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

#123

Post by bckr »

sideshowb wrote: post #116
bckr wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think "intellectuals" are willing to read books . I think videos are the best way to consume content in ~20 minutes.

But isn't reading a preferable way to consume the same content in ~2 minutes?

hmm, I'm not sure about that.

I think that good videos add something on top of the raw script. Visuals, body language, sound effects and music, timing,... That's just for the kinds of videos where the bulk of information is in the script, which excludes things like videos about music production or the like.

Maybe if you spend 20 minutes reading a book, there's going to be a lot of interleaved information: kind of repetition, but with change, so that you really get a good feeling for the core ideas.

A video that would take the same amount of time to watch might not have the same density of language (and I'm not even sure what the ratio would be: i don't think it's 10X, as you implied)--well, maybe it achieves a similar effect, that of increasing comprehension, not by repetition or extra examples, but by the non-linguistic information I listed above.

The 2 minute article just doesn't have the same sticking power.

Re: Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

#125

Post by zargon »

samstave wrote: post #55
joe_hills wrote: post #51

If you find something that works for you that lets you create artifacts of your interests, go for it! You never know what people will latch on to. I also have a lot of unrelated interests and ideas for projects I lack the depth to get off the ground. The real breakthrough for me occurred while I was using Minecraft to practice improvisational comedy on YouTube and realized that I can take any infeasible idea that wou…

Wow. I need to know you. Links please, but would actually like to know who you are.

It's not like he's hiding or something. https://youtube.com/c/JoeHillsTSD

Re: Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

#128

Post by zeristor »

Could you have some form of ADHD? Merely to suggest there’s a repertoire of helpful skills that may be handy.

I have been fascinated in so many fields, and have very much been driven, neigh propelled by curiousity.

It would be amazing to weave the thoughts into a career, if you can pick stuff up fast that helps to make the most of the ephemeral fascinations.

Time to digest and reflect on those thoughts to see how they might connect can be hugely rewarding, perhaps even overwhelming.

Beyond that it is trying to do something with those ideas, honing them, sharing them, explaining them, and applying them.

Re: Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

#129

Post by biztos »

sideshowb wrote: post #92
bckr wrote: post #2

I was going to suggest writing, and I'll go one further: Do write a blog, but don't just write a blog. Write a blog, and then create a video for each blog post, and upload it to YouTube (where the eyeballs willing to consume intellectual material are). Also do livestreams. Start interviewing anyone who will take you seriously. Set a goal for who your dream interviewee is. Do this for a couple years, putting out conte…

> YouTube (where the eyeballs willing to consume intellectual material are). Whyyyyyyyyy?! Seriously I'm curious, what happened? Do intellectuals (whatever that means) really not prefer reading any more? A desire for Podcasts/audiobooks I can understand, as someone who occasionally has to drive places, but video?

YouTube has quite good discovery (for me anyway) of related content. Some of it is highly produced. In the best case it’s also more compelling to watch the delivery.

And finally, I often go to YouTube for something specific, like say researching a camera, and as long as I’m already there I catch a few short videos on this or that idea.

I still read magazines (online because of where I live) and a few blogs and listen to maybe half a dozen podcasts regularly, but unless you show up on one of them, you’re much more likely to cross my radar on YouTube.

+1 for writing and also doing some YT videos, also +1 for interviews, and if you have time and a pleasant voice the. consider doing a podcast.

Re: Ask HN: I'm interested in so many disciplines, but what can I do with that?

#130

Post by HuwFulcher »

sideshowb wrote: post #92
bckr wrote: post #2

I was going to suggest writing, and I'll go one further: Do write a blog, but don't just write a blog. Write a blog, and then create a video for each blog post, and upload it to YouTube (where the eyeballs willing to consume intellectual material are). Also do livestreams. Start interviewing anyone who will take you seriously. Set a goal for who your dream interviewee is. Do this for a couple years, putting out conte…

> YouTube (where the eyeballs willing to consume intellectual material are). Whyyyyyyyyy?! Seriously I'm curious, what happened? Do intellectuals (whatever that means) really not prefer reading any more? A desire for Podcasts/audiobooks I can understand, as someone who occasionally has to drive places, but video?

Why is it hard to believe that some consume information more effectively through video than text? I find it particularly useful to be able to watch/listen to a video on a topic when I have chores to do around the house that prevent me from sitting and reading a book. I suppose an argument could be made that reading is objectively better than watching something but watching something is closer to having a conversation with someone which is (I think) the best way to consume and understand information.
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