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Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

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Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#211

Post by devrundown »

cadr wrote: post #141

I don’t know how niche they are, but a few I’ve done in the past - 3D printed musical instruments. Print other designs or contribute your own - lock picking. When you really get into it, you modify locks to make them more of a challenge and mail them to people - Ham radio is hundreds of sub-hobbies in a trench coat. I’m currently mainly interested in linearizing switch-mode amplifiers, but was doing fox hunting for a…

> Ham radio is hundreds of sub-hobbies in a trench coat

Really good way of putting it! POTA can be a lot of fun.

Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#213

Post by c0nfusedpengu1n »

dr_robert wrote: post #80

I’m a paraglider pilot and powered paraglider recently. Totally recommended, you get to connect with nature in a meaningful way. Also people who practice this kind of sports are nice. From a tech perspective there are a lot of data generated on each flight you can create your own way to capture that data or use already existing apps.

The best part is when you can combine your love of engineering and flying and work on your own electric paramotor. Highly recommend paragliding as an affordable and safe way to experience flight

Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#214

Post by ryandrake »

jcmontx wrote: post #208
ryandrake wrote: post #174

If you like to work with your hands and have space, build something physical: big and complex, and actually finish it. I built a single engine two seat kit airplane in my garage, did all the flight testing, and now have an interesting way to travel/commute as a result. The "finish it" part is the most important bit. Computer people spend too much time working on projects that don't have a "done" state. Change that up…

How scary was the test flight? where did you land?

I was as confident as I could be. Had multiple tech counselors and A&Ps give it a good look over beforehand. Also had an emergency plan for every 100 feet of altitude post-takeoff. Did the first couple of flight tests in the vicinity of a minor (class D) Bay Area airport and then did the rest of them (including the riskier ones) over the central valley.

Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#215

Post by hermitcrab »

jeremymcanally wrote: post #98

I got into HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) fencing last year through a club in my little town. Olympic/sport fencing is fun, but imagine (safely) swinging a 4lbs. steel longsword with two hands at your opponent instead. It's a ton of fun, a great workout (I burn ~1500 calories per class), and competitive so it keeps my interest. Then there's the whole nerd layer of reading all the original sources from the 15…

HEMA looks much more interesting than olympic style fencing.

Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#217

Post by loloquwowndueo »

hackrmn wrote: post #73
unsupp0rted wrote: post #3

My hobby is organizing in-person meetups for random people to get together, chat and make friends. Barely structured, if at all. I've found this rewarding and ended up making friends this way. You have to accept that 5-15% of the people who would show up to something like this are genuine weirdos you probably don't want to be around. And another 10% at any given meetup are autistic or neuro-divergent but well-meaning…

Between the genuine weirdos, the autistic and/or the neuro-divergent, is there anyone left, really? Do the "normies" genuinely exist? Happy-go-lucky, knows a bit about everything but doesn't nerd out on anything, picks up every conversation subject and listens and holds their own in a manner that is just right? I am genuinely curious about the existence of these "superhumans".

> Between the genuine weirdos, the autistic and/or the neuro-divergent, is there anyone left, really?

Heh this has a total “nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded” vibe.

Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#218

Post by afc »

I don't know if it's niche, but I like making granola for my friends and family. I give them a big jar and tell them free refills are included ("just bring me the empty jar"). I get pretty good nuts and tend to make largish batches (around 2 kg), and, because of the refills, I get a good sense of who appreciates it — always happy to make more for them. My recipe is here: https://alejo.ch/365

Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#219

Post by hermitcrab »

Deanallen wrote: post #101
dr_robert wrote: post #80

I’m a paraglider pilot and powered paraglider recently. Totally recommended, you get to connect with nature in a meaningful way. Also people who practice this kind of sports are nice. From a tech perspective there are a lot of data generated on each flight you can create your own way to capture that data or use already existing apps.

i've always been interested in para-motoring. how safe or unsafe is paragliding? do you think about that aspect before going out for a flight?

I've known 3 people that were into paragliding. 2 of them had near misses from chute collapses and the other flew into a stationery car (he was saved from more serious injury by wearing a full face helmet). So definitely not risk free, based on that sample.

Re: Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

#220

Post by jasondigitized »

Skidaddle wrote: post #155

I’ve started making what I “joy machines” that I am putting up in or near my neighborhood. They’re some combination of public interactive art (e.g. push a button and it prints out a compliment) and little art on display that I design and 3D print for people to take.

I'm intrigued and need to see some images or videos now.
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