Why am I here? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why am I here?

#51

Post by jwilliams » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 3:27 AM UTC

dylanz wrote: post #35

Derek, I did the same thing 6 years ago. I ended up north of you by just a tad bit, in Takaka. It was a long and winding 90 minute drive to get to Nelson, but it definitely felt like the "big city" compared to Golden Bay. When people ask me how my 3 years in New Zealand were, it's hard for me to answer. A part of me was working hard, so I spent most of my hours behind my desk, at home, looking at the paddocks across…

As a kiwi I am offended about your cuisine comment.... I am also nodding in absolute agreement.

In NZ you need to play to the strengths. You'll get some of the best seafood and wine in the world. Freshly caught fish, simply cooked, with a bottle of South Island white wine. Glorious.

Also, the nature helps. A cup of tea and some smoked mussels. Usually mundane -- but, after you've just hiked up a mountain and you're sitting on a ridge. Delicious.

Re: Why am I here?

#52

Post by sivers » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 3:28 AM UTC

AngrySkillzz wrote: post #33

pikachu_is_cool wrote: post #19

....Yeah, I can't do that. I like long-term friendship.

Then you've found your reason to be "here."

Exactly! Great answer! The point is NOT to always move!

Usually the "Why am I here?" question just reminds you why you are where you are.

Being somewhere for great friendships is a great reason.

Re: Why am I here?

#53

Post by sivers » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 3:30 AM UTC

quaffapint wrote: post #22

sivers wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Married with a baby. But other than that, I don't know anyone here. That was part of the appeal. I prefer solitude right now.

Wow, and your wife was cool with that :)? Couldn't even imagine being able to move around with my family like that. I've lived in the same area basically my whole life and it's quite boring. A change would be nice. Always wanted to try out Montana.

I was a requirement of being with me. A 2nd-date question:

"How would you feel about living in the rest of the world for the rest of your life?"

Many girls I dated really just wanted to stay near family or friends. Then I found someone willing to keep going. :-)

Re: Why am I here?

#54

Post by omarchowdhury » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 4:01 AM UTC

throwaway3301 wrote: post #38

What if you don't know the answer to this question ("Why am I here?")? What if your answer is that you don't understand why you're still here? When your passion for everything and anything in life has waned to nothingness. When you feel like your body is in a constant state of physical and mental fatigue, bordering on a grinding, gnawing pain? When you feel like a passenger in your own life, stuck in the rat race, st…

Take some psychedelics and die mentally. Maybe have some spiritual literature near by.

Re: Why am I here?

#55

Post by allochthon » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 4:02 AM UTC

I like the overall message, but I can't help but think about that thing about the work visas.

Re: Why am I here?

#56

Post by omarchowdhury » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 4:07 AM UTC

derivagral wrote: post #48

throwaway3301 wrote: post #38

What if you don't know the answer to this question ("Why am I here?")? What if your answer is that you don't understand why you're still here? When your passion for everything and anything in life has waned to nothingness. When you feel like your body is in a constant state of physical and mental fatigue, bordering on a grinding, gnawing pain? When you feel like a passenger in your own life, stuck in the rat race, st…

I was/am in a mood something like this after reading Godel, Escher, Bach. I can't say I've found a simple way back, but if you're into detailed psych Eric Fromm's books in English were fascinating to read and helped a bit. (Escape from Freedom, Man for Himself, Sane Society) If you aren't so much into that (or even if you are) professional help is not a bad thing.

GED is essentially materialism and that leads to depressive thoughts easily.

Re: Why am I here?

#57

Post by lutorm » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 4:15 AM UTC

Having just moved from LA to the Big Island of Hawaii, these questions resonate with me, too. We moved because of my wife, but I can't say that I was opposed. Away from the crowded, paved LA basin to a small town, affordable housing, friendly people.

The internet, though...

Re: Why am I here?

#58

Post by jcshep » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 4:17 AM UTC

dylanz wrote: post #35

Derek, I did the same thing 6 years ago. I ended up north of you by just a tad bit, in Takaka. It was a long and winding 90 minute drive to get to Nelson, but it definitely felt like the "big city" compared to Golden Bay. When people ask me how my 3 years in New Zealand were, it's hard for me to answer. A part of me was working hard, so I spent most of my hours behind my desk, at home, looking at the paddocks across…

Just recently returned from my honeymoon in New Zealand. We stayed in Golden Bay for a night and had some drinks and food at the Mussel Inn. Nelson was certainly one of my favorite towns.

When I was younger, It was always my intention to work remotely in NZ. I never was able to pull it off, although I got close. I never gave up the dream though, and hearing stories like this keep me motivated.

Re: Why am I here?

#59

Post by rsobers » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 4:17 AM UTC

ThatOtherPerson wrote: post #27

rsobers wrote: post #21

I enjoyed the post, but I find it to be such a vast departure from the way I think and feel, mostly because I have a family. Sure, I would love to sit on a balcony in New Zealand, coding and listening to the birds, but I couldn't possibly rip my daughter away from her friends and the school she loves. Again, I appreciate the spirit of the post, but reality for most of us precludes this level of whimsy, and I don't ne…

"Why am I here?" "Because my daughter loves it here." Seems to fit in with what he was saying to me.

Right, but none of the author's reasons seemed to revolve around anything but his own desire to focus and work on his products. In the context of raising a family, that's hard to justify.

Re: Why am I here?

#60

Post by oscargrouch » Fri, Dec 20, 2013, 4:19 AM UTC

throwaway3301 wrote: post #38

What if you don't know the answer to this question ("Why am I here?")? What if your answer is that you don't understand why you're still here? When your passion for everything and anything in life has waned to nothingness. When you feel like your body is in a constant state of physical and mental fatigue, bordering on a grinding, gnawing pain? When you feel like a passenger in your own life, stuck in the rat race, st…

You are probably above the average.. You are smart philosophically enough to understand "the truth"; everything just looks like some silly games one on top of another, with nothing much to spends peoples life away.. right?

The thing is.. more and more people will be like you, like me.. because all those things we build.. this new world we are trying to create (or at least to manage), make us smarter..

What works for me: Try to to the things you like the most in the world, even if people dont like it; be sincere to yourself always.. be true to your inner essence..

Than these little things will grow, make your life more valuable to you..

Take the skeletons out of your closet: assume and be the guy/girl you always wanted to be, dont care about the others; just go for it..

Your spiritual side is important: try to make a connection to whatever you feel the divine is... in waht do you believe.. this helps you, or its in your way to get more hapinness? Its good to find a gravitational point that is not our own ego, speacilly for people that are not selfish and narcisistic

Look: You are normal and probably more sane the most of the people.. they "the average" are the lunatics.. dont be ashamed of it, or think you are the wrong one, because you are different..

This is from a guy who use to believe in that and lost some years and some light, to believe that "the average" were right in some way.. and are turning back to what he really believes.. a path on its own.. there is no door ready for your life.. people above average make their own destiny by being themselves and make what they believe in.. its hard.. and we must be brave.. because it means to be aside of everything and marginalized for a while..

but that is what everybody needs.. even the average.. they need people to believe in, people who make take different routes and paths, and even make theirs lifes more valuable; i hope you are one of those..

I hope this help you somehow