Tell HN: Merry Christmas

I'm a mean old troll.

As in... I migrated here from Slashdot level old :-)

I made a new account, because I'd like to start anew.

Let me take off my mask for a moment, and be authentic:

I encourage folks to remember that life is not a zero sum game -- even if you feel your chips are down this holiday season, try to remember that there are some things money can never buy.

If you're kind, small things -- a barista who remembers your order, a smile at the library, a knowing smirk from the corner of the college cafe yet to be gentrified away will remind you that you are not a ghost in this world, and people remember the positive effect you have on their lives.

And make no mistake -- these are dark times. Part of my own loneliness is that I deleted every shred of social media in 2016 -- I had a beautiful series of photographs on Instagram, and years of cherished memories on Facebook.

I deleted it all, because I was scared what would be done with that data to my friends -- Persian friends, Palestinian friends, Ukranian Friends, Russian friends, Israeli friends, who came to this country because they truly value free expression.

It can be hard, to be a hacker, to feel apart from the physical realm in a lonely way that goes beyond IQ or interests, but don't let that take your soul.

When we must "punch" in our humor, always be sure to punch up.

Merry Christmas!

I don't remember when I first learned about HN, I think maybe when I was in high school(I'm 36 now). I have found an uncountable number of interesting and imo mentally valuable things through here. When I share them (which I often do) my friends always ask "where did you find that?". This is such an awesome group. Merry Christmas!

https://historycooperative.org/pagan-origins-of-christmas/

Happy holidays in whatever form you all celebrate!

May your bugs be solvable and enlightening.

That sounds awful, I’m so sorry to hear that and do hope that she can make progress.

If I may, this is a point I’ve been thinking a lot of lately though - as in, is the “oh there’s many people out there who have it way worse, so be thankful for what you have” mindset actually healthy?

Of course there will always be others worse off… and the inverse advice is also widely accepted: “never be the smartest person in the room”, “always look up, not down, to grow”, etc

I’ve been processing this in the context that I’m on the cusp of needing to give up on some life dreams, at least for a long while.

I’m glad to be shut down if this isn’t the right place for this discussion