Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

bbc.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

121–130 of 149 posts

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#121

Post by dkural »

ldx1024 wrote: post #120
jp57 wrote: post #60

Fruit and cold showers! Every interview with a centenarian asks "what's the secret of your longevity?" They answer and we all nod and stroke our chins and think maybe there's something to that cold shower thing after all . Or whatever. If his secret had been that he drinks three Dr. Peppers a day, or that he does a headstand for five minutes every morning at sunrise, our response would be the same. He no more knows t…

The most striking thing to me is the presence of his family (good relationships). Seems like such a contrast with the case of David Goodall, the 104 year old Australian who traveled to Switzerland to kill himself. He lived alone and lost his ability to see others regularly when he lost his office space at the university he was associated with. Says he traveled to see his family before killing himself. I think in gene…

This story got me feeling all sorts of feelings.

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#122

Post by Izkata »

hedora wrote: post #66
Jap2-0 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> > minus temperatures > Nitpick: it is difficult to take a shower with water in solid form (ice). Nitpick: having a temperature below zero does not necessarily mean that it is in a solid form; for example, it could be at a high pressure or not have a nucleus to freeze around (supercooling).

I’d like to see a video of this hypothetical subzero shower stream turning to a block of ice around an unsuspecting nucleus. Bonus points if you can scale it up to a mannequin.

Supercooled water isn't quite the same thing you're asking for - I doubt it could be done with a shower without special equipment - but here's a video of spontaneous freezing in two ways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fot3m7kyLn4

The first, pounding it inside the sealed bottle, is creating some sort of disturbance to crystalize around (an "unsuspecting nucleus"), and the second is pouring it semi-shower-like.

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#123

Post by b3kart »

hombre_fatal wrote: post #18
xwdv wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s never too late to learn anything. The problem is, are you ever going to be able to put it to good use before forgetting much of it? I’ve wasted so much time in the past decade learning random shit that I never used, it’s been a poor ROI compared to just continuing to hone the skills and languages I use daily. Really demotivating.

It sounds like your problem is a certain outcome dependency. A better mindset is to learn things out of curiosity. You could level your criticism at learning anything that doesn’t help you in the cubicle tomorrow.

People should really learn to separate work and play. As soon as you utter “ROI” your play has become work.

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#124

Post by spodek »

dghughes wrote: post #61
zekrioca wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is easier in tropical countries like Colombia, where “cold” is basically “warm”. In colder (northern) countries, I tried this but it is very hard because “cold water” (i.e., non heated) is way too cold (like minus temperatures).

I'm in south-eastern Canada. Just now I checked the temperature of the water from my city water company I measured it at 8C. The current outside temperature is -1C. The water couldn't be lower than freezing or pipes in homes would freeze. I agree cold, hot, warm are all relative. Somewhat related I've seen people from hot countries worry about "cold weather". To them ~20C is cold compared to 35C hot day and was blame…

You're right about geography.

My record for cold shower temperature was 39.9F (4.4C), here in New York City. Five minutes at that temperature bordered on pain. My fingertips turned purple.

The warmest cold shower I took was in Brazil. Sadly, I didn't get to enjoy it because I was sunburned.

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#125

Post by PhantomBKB »

majkinetor wrote: post #87
jp57 wrote: post #60

Fruit and cold showers! Every interview with a centenarian asks "what's the secret of your longevity?" They answer and we all nod and stroke our chins and think maybe there's something to that cold shower thing after all . Or whatever. If his secret had been that he drinks three Dr. Peppers a day, or that he does a headstand for five minutes every morning at sunrise, our response would be the same. He no more knows t…

Indeed. Cold showers sure have potential to reduce wrinkle formation tho. And to make you temporarily much more alive, if not live longer (just go and try it, use as much cold as possible which probably means you will scream at start). The centurian thing is probably ocam's razor: specific genes in combination with specific environment must be a good fit for longevity. Knowing that we are in no way closer in understa…

Cold showers make you feel better in general and they say it helps increase your immunity.

I've been experimenting with cold showers since the pandemic began, first it was through the summer, and I summoned up courage to continue it through the winter. There were some days when I thought I couldn't take the cold, so I used warm water instead. But I remember the stark difference I felt on those days compared to the rest when I showered in cold water.

If you can bear the cold, I would recommend it. Even if you can't, take it up as a challenge (that's what I did), to get your body to adapt to it. Totally worth it.

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#126

Post by spodek »

djedr wrote: post #6

wow, an exceptional character what caught my attention is that when asked about his secret to longevity, he said that he eats lots of fruit and takes cold showers not the first time I'm hearing about cold showers being beneficial; been doing that myself regularly for a few months and I definitely find benefits this is definitely encouraging to continue does anybody have a longer experience with cold showers and can s…

I did thirty days only cold showers, minimum 5 minutes, in December 2014. I found the experience rewarding so decided to continue, but not every day. I did them every fourth day for a few years and dropped down to every fifth in 2018. My spreadsheet says I've taken 538.

I coordinate them with my cardio days, since I find they go well with being hot and sweaty finishing rowing or running.

You know how lifting (or any exercise) develops more than just what you work -- things like discipline, resilience, grit, self-awareness, etc? Cold showers gives all that benefit but at zero cost in time or money and no risk of injury.

Also look up Joel Runyon's TEDx talk, which inspired me to start.

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#127

Post by cambalache »

zekrioca wrote: post #11
vuciv1 wrote: post #4

Eat fruit and take cold showers. The last time this was posted, someone said cold showers were the secret to looking young forever. I can't find much convincing official research (just blogs) to support that cold showers are beneficial to skincare, but I've been taking them nonetheless, and honestly, my pores have looked better :)

It is easier in tropical countries like Colombia, where “cold” is basically “warm”. In colder (northern) countries, I tried this but it is very hard because “cold water” (i.e., non heated) is way too cold (like minus temperatures).

By his accent he is from Bogota, it may not be Canada, but the temperature can reach 6C, I wouldnt call that "warm"

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#128

Post by dang »

yrimaxi wrote: post #116
helmholtz wrote: post #5

I just submitted my own doctoral thesis in fluids to Manchester! This is absolutely stunning, and my day (and life) is better for it.

This submission is about you.

Aw, come on.

"Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith."

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Re: Advice from a 104-year-old PhD student [video]

#130

Post by chillwaves »

djedr wrote: post #99
dk775 wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What benefits are you noticing at a few months in?

Stimulation, increased energy, elevated mood and self-confidence, a nice toasty feeling afterwards, quicker cooling after exercise, optimum alertness achieved faster in the day if done early. Definitely lots of psychological benefits. I do combine it with meditation and exercise. All three seem to have mutually-reinforcing effects.

I've found the best habits reinforce each other. Diet, exercise, better sleep.. they all interact and make each other stronger.

I have also found that a brisk morning walk in the cold (deliberately wear just a hoodie and shorts in near freezing temps) has helped as well. Maybe it's the sunlight, maybe it's the exercise, maybe it's the cold but I feel like it gets my hormones into better shape and I have more energy (specifically referring to T, and for example I have had very mild acne, which I hadn't seen in about 15 years).

Post reply on HN