Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#31

Post by mhb » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:06 PM UTC

hbn wrote: post #22

Not really "wrong" but at some point in the last couple years I was using my microwave, putting something in for a minute, and for that I've always input 1:00 but suddenly I realized how obvious it was that I can just be inputting 60. As long as you can easily modulo the time, this works for the range 1 minute (60) to 1 minute 39 seconds (99). Technically you could also do this for times like 2:65 instead of 3:05 but…

Hmm. Maybe there's more opportunity for you to optimize even a bit more. On my (cheap) microwave, I can push 1 through 6 and it just goes for that number of minutes. And pushing Start adds 30 seconds. More resolution is seldom needed.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#32

Post by loa_in_ » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:06 PM UTC

Overtonwindow wrote: post #27

Thinking that most people have good intentions.

Even if they say they have your best interest in mind, they might not, or they might be misinformed about you and act on un-truths. Either way it can be very detrimental.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#33

Post by mtlynch » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:07 PM UTC

Staying warm.

In the winter, I used to stay warm by turning up the thermostat. Then I discovered (via HN) the Low-Tech Magazine article, "Insulation: first the body, then the home." [0] The article argued that it's much more efficient to focus on heating yourself rather than your whole living space.

I invested in high-quality wool clothes that I wear in layers and warm slippers. Now, I keep my home about 5 degrees F cooler than I used to for the same comfort, and it's a big reduction in oil and wood consumption for home heat.

[0] https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/02/body-insulation-ther...

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#34

Post by vehemenz » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:07 PM UTC

hgomersall wrote: post #13

A common one is the tying of one's shoelaces. It's pretty common to tie the knot in an unbalanced way. https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/grannyknot.htm

Yep. I did this for about 30 years before I learned the correct way (from that site, no less).

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#35

Post by mabbo » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:07 PM UTC

My father said to me: "I like a shower better than a bath, but ugh, that first blast of cold water when you turn it on is always a bit shocking."

Me: "Why don't you turn on the shower, wait for it to get warm, then get in?"

Him, realizing he'd been using a shower wrong for over 6 decades: "... huh."

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#36

Post by cabalamat » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:07 PM UTC

muzani wrote: post #29

Pasta and sauce are not meant to be separate. Once you cook the pasta, drain it, and immediately toss with the sauce. This is part of the reason it was meant to be al dente, to absorb and deliver the flavor of the sauce better. Unlike rice, it's fine to "soak" pasta in the sauce; it expands when freshly cooked but not when cool. Also most sauce recipes are probably overcomplicated. Most need less than 5 ingredients.…

> Unlike rice, it's fine to "soak" pasta in the sauce

Why is this bad with rice? When I make a stew I often put some rice in, with the expectation that the rice will absorb some of the stew.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#37

Post by RobertRoberts » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:07 PM UTC

Ask my wife what she prefers and tell her what I prefer.

Years of marriage before we figured out I hate cleaning small things (silverware and glasses) and she hates cleaning big things (pots and pans). We permanently changed how we clean up after meals.

Not exactly in line with your premise, but changed my entire outlook about expressing what I want or prefer about almost anything.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#38

Post by mabbo » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:08 PM UTC

mtlynch wrote: post #33

Staying warm. In the winter, I used to stay warm by turning up the thermostat. Then I discovered (via HN) the Low-Tech Magazine article, "Insulation: first the body, then the home." [0] The article argued that it's much more efficient to focus on heating yourself rather than your whole living space. I invested in high-quality wool clothes that I wear in layers and warm slippers. Now, I keep my home about 5 degrees F…

I don't like wearing big layers of clothing. I like being in a very light t-shirt.

I'm happy to pay the extra cost to heat the room I'm in with a space heater in the winter time.

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#39

Post by RobertRoberts » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:08 PM UTC

mtlynch wrote: post #33

Staying warm. In the winter, I used to stay warm by turning up the thermostat. Then I discovered (via HN) the Low-Tech Magazine article, "Insulation: first the body, then the home." [0] The article argued that it's much more efficient to focus on heating yourself rather than your whole living space. I invested in high-quality wool clothes that I wear in layers and warm slippers. Now, I keep my home about 5 degrees F…

Add moisture to the air also as it conducts heat better and the same temperature will "feel" warmer. (especially important in some climates more than others)

Re: Ask HN: Something you’ve done your whole life that you realized is wrong?

#40

Post by jacknews » Mon, Jan 30, 2023, 2:09 PM UTC

muzani wrote: post #29

Pasta and sauce are not meant to be separate. Once you cook the pasta, drain it, and immediately toss with the sauce. This is part of the reason it was meant to be al dente, to absorb and deliver the flavor of the sauce better. Unlike rice, it's fine to "soak" pasta in the sauce; it expands when freshly cooked but not when cool. Also most sauce recipes are probably overcomplicated. Most need less than 5 ingredients.…

Also, you don't have to boil the pasta for the full 8 minutes or whatever, just the first couple of minutes, then let it sit, eg https://www.barilla.com/en-gb/passive-cooking