The Allen Institute is definitely doing great work: https://www.alleninstitute.org/
AI2 (Allen Institute for AI) is, too! Over 200 papers published at major conferences with several awards.
The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
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Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#12> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything.
I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800), and I really enjoy making Italian goodies on my free time (mostly biscotti, tiramisu, and limoncello). I'm also thinking of learning bookbinding / restoration, and how to draw and paint.
I can't tell whether I'm "doing this right" -- and by "this", I mean "life". Sometimes I feel like I'm half-assing everything, and that I'd be better off laser-focusing on a single thing. Some of my friends have, and they're further along their careers (are they happier? I don't know). Sometimes I feel life is too short to not do what I feel passionate about.
I'm 38 and I'm doing OK in life, but I feel like I haven't figured out what to optimise for. I have this lingering feeling that I could, and should, be doing better (for some vague definition of "better").
Sorry to bring a personal question to HN, but the article made me think about my situation, I can't think of a better crowd to get their opinion than this one.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#13> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything. I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800 ), and I…
You're not doing anything “right” neither is anyone else. That’s the beauty of life.
Make the most of your freedoms and privilege, which it sounds you are and do things you love. Actually, I retract my original statement, it sounds like you’re having a great time. Don't let societal norms think that you have to live in any particular way.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#14> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything. I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800 ), and I…
As someone who has been very laser focused in life I often feel the opposite of you. I finished university, did my PhD, and now have a job doing research in the area of my PhD. I've been working 60-80 hour weeks for the past 10 years. I do some small activities on the side, so life isn't monotonous, but I don't invest in anything nearly as much as I do my work. I often wonder if I'm missing out on life by not committing to more things. So we're on opposite sides of the same coin. The grass isn't necessarily greener...
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#15> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything. I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800 ), and I…
I'm also extremely curious and honestly I'm not sure if it is a curse or a blessing. I dream of projects where I could put all my skills to work but these seem totally inaccessible to me.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#16> Paul was driven by an incredible curiosity his whole life. Even when we were just kids, he seemed to be interested in just about everything. I can identify with this. I've founded a gamedev company, taught Computer Graphics, and worked at Google and Improbable as a SWE; but in the middle of all this I wrote a novel, I recently quit my job to become an actor/filmmaker ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10232800 ), and I…
I'm also extremely curious and honestly I'm not sure if it is a curse or a blessing. I dream of projects where I could put all my skills to work but these seem totally inaccessible to me.
It's a cop+out, but I feel pretty sure that (if I understand your curiosity) it's both a curse and a blessing. Those are probably two different ways to frame the feelings you have around your curiosity. I'm sure there are many places where the curiosity serves you well, and as you know, there are also places where it gets in the way.
Whatever ends up being the right amount and kind of curiosity for you, I hope you can meet yourself with love and appreciation. Even if your curiosity brings you deep dissatisfaction because of unfulfilled dreams or the impossibility of knowing it all.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#17I'm moved by what Bill said about Paul - in many ways, he was still the geeky guy on the teletype, ferociously well read, and driven not only to understand the world, but also to protect it and share it with others. I miss him.
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#18[deleted]
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#19Paul allen owned an island in the san juans - when i used to fly to my mothers on Orcas we had to land first at paul allens airport... There was a beauty and a freedom i used to feel from that experience: There was no tower, nor staff; just a landing strip and we would fly in - do our thing and then take off again. It was awesome... and i loved it, because we talk about america being the “land of the free” but we are…
As a private pilot flying in the US until the beginning of this millennium (then I moved away) - there are many, many such airports all over the country, that's nothing special. I landed at such airports even as a student pilot. Half Moon Bay airport, to be exact (student home airports were San Carlos and Palo Alto, so I was allowed to do that as a student, didn't even have to ask the instructor after getting the general approval for local solo flights). You even have "pilot-controlled lighting" to turn on runway lights if you arrive at night at some airports.
Yes, such airports are a lot of fun. Some are nothing but a strip in the middle of nowhere.
Each one has a frequency assigned and you announce yourself (or at least you are supposed to) when you come in to check if anybody else is there already, maybe even using the runway.
For reference: "Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations" -- https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/...
I found a number, the vast majority of airports is in this category:
> There's a huge number of uncontrolled airports in the U.S. According to the FAA, there are 5,300 public-use airports. Out of that number, there are 500 that are controlled. [Mar 1, 2005 -- https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/uncontrolled-airpor...
Re: The side of Paul Allen I wish more people knew about
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm also extremely curious and honestly I'm not sure if it is a curse or a blessing. I dream of projects where I could put all my skills to work but these seem totally inaccessible to me.
It's a cop+out, but I feel pretty sure that (if I understand your curiosity) it's both a curse and a blessing. Those are probably two different ways to frame the feelings you have around your curiosity. I'm sure there are many places where the curiosity serves you well, and as you know, there are also places where it gets in the way. Whatever ends up being the right amount and kind of curiosity for you, I hope you ca…
Thank you for your kind words.