31–40 of 130 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
For me it's the plain old mind daemon screaming "Why aren't you busy?! You are certainly missing some super important obligations!". Curiously, it doesn't activate when I'm actually wasting time. It's the aimless walking that activates it.
But not the aimless scrolling on HN?
This seems similar to the difference between hiking ( trailing walking ) and off trail trekking. The later is more of an overland pursuit where any number of surprises await from geological formations to stands of vegetation to a vast array of creatures. It is the unknown just around the bend of the ravine, or inside the stand of trees, or over the next ridge that causes me to disappear into a more natural world as o…
Going off trail trekking requires attention and focus, even if not constant. You can't just look at the sky and think about nothing if you risk fouling your ankle at every step or fall into a hole!
Off trail trekking is maybe more similar to coding something completely new. It's exciting, you experiment with different things, read bit here and there, and very satisfying, but also tiring. If I go flâner I will be less tired when I end than when I start.
What is the equivalent of doing this in a car? Just driving around aimlessly, thinking and observing.
This nearly induces a panic attack for me - I need routes, a plan, a map, a goal/end location, and a task. Aimless walking stresses me out big time!
What is the equivalent of doing this in a car? Just driving around aimlessly, thinking and observing.
Cruising. See American Graffiti
What is the equivalent of doing this in a car? Just driving around aimlessly, thinking and observing.
I did this in my home city of Chicago, and discovered so many new nooks and crannies and interesting streets that I would never had occasion to traverse. I also learned where major streets ended eg Michigan Ave.
This is probably one of my favorite activities in foreign cities - walk or take public transportation aimlessly for a few hours. Buy a snack that catches my eye, or find a cafe or pub to linger at long enough to see the ebb and flow of foot traffic. Directed tourism is fine, but seeing a few randomly sampled slices of a culture and place gives the experience 'roots' for me in some intangible way.
Great idea... in a safe city
Earlier quoted context omitted.
But not the aimless scrolling on HN?
Of course not then! "Curiously, it doesn't activate when I'm actually wasting time."