I’ve had the same supper for 10 years • Hacker News Board

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#161

Post by isoskeles » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:30 AM UTC

robbrown451 wrote: post #123

Does it strike anyone else as oddly ironic that he is so sad that people don't go to the effort to hear the cuckoos, and yet he basically doesn't want to experience... well, pretty much everything. It's great he's happy with the life he has chosen. But I personally find people who are even slightly like that (i.e. closed off to new experiences) depressing to be around. My parents are kind of like that, and have been…

I find them a bit less depressing than people frantically trying to experience "new" things as an effort to quiet the constant agitation of their souls.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#162

Post by nabogh » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:31 AM UTC

ip26 wrote: post #97

oftenwrong wrote: post #50

This is similar to Sven Yrvind's philosophy on eating at sea. >I will eat twice a day, breakfast and lunch four hours later. >... >I say, “Cows only eat grass and wolfs only eat meat” >Modern society is so boring and there is so much food that we have to be stimulated by spices and chefs and different foods to eat. At sea in a small boat its different. Life itself out there is so interesting that I do not need stimul…

Sounds like starvation rations…

I agree the food itself is pretty bleak. But this resonates with me because I have a fond memory of a rushed meal after a surf with my father.

We were on a camping trip so all we had in the car was two small cans of tuna and some multigrain bread. After getting out of the water and feeling completely exhausted, there was something satisfying about slapping the contents of the can onto a slice of bread and biting into the most basic meal imaginable.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#163

Post by fma » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:32 AM UTC

robbrown451 wrote: post #123

Does it strike anyone else as oddly ironic that he is so sad that people don't go to the effort to hear the cuckoos, and yet he basically doesn't want to experience... well, pretty much everything. It's great he's happy with the life he has chosen. But I personally find people who are even slightly like that (i.e. closed off to new experiences) depressing to be around. My parents are kind of like that, and have been…

That's not what he's saying. He's saying that those who want to experience things...don't. People drive from far away probably just to stay there for a few seconds and call it a day, while sitting in their car. Probably take a selfie and say they were there to experience the cuckoos...but really didn't. That's why he's sad for them.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#164

Post by throwawayboise » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:32 AM UTC

anonymousiam wrote: post #56

It's an inspiring article, but it left me wondering what is his exit plan. He's got nobody to pass the farm on to, and his sister is dependent upon his care. At 72 and with his medical history, he will not be able to continue much longer.

He never married, presumably has no kids, so what happens to the farm after he's gone probably isn't a big concern of his.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#165

Post by throwawayboise » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:33 AM UTC

ipaddr wrote: post #67

I wonder about the two strokes. Him and his sister. Probably genetic or is it a result of the same diet they both share? Is eating an egg a day really bad for you. Science has gone back and forth on this. He would get plenty of exercise what could have caused the strokes?

From the photo, he does look overweight. Could be hypertensive.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#166

Post by voidfunc » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:33 AM UTC

steve_adams_86 wrote: post #156

voidfunc wrote: post #142

Im nowhere near the extreme of this guy but I cook a vegetable soup and eat it 4-6 days a week every week for dinner. I save the calories and good (edit: interesting) cooking for restaurants. I mess around with the soup occasionally trying new flavoring or techniques but its the same damn soup and I like it. Its easy to make, keeps well, costs nothing relative to output, and leaves me time to think about other things…

Before I had a family, I did this too. You really grow to appreciate food more by keeping it low key so often. And I agree, it’s relatively healthy. You kind of eat well on autopilot. Then when you have something different and special, it really is special. My family loves to have something great for every single meal. It’s very excessive and unnecessary - but I keep it to myself and let them enjoy it. It’s not a bad…

Totally understand this would be hard to pull off with a family. My friends think Im a bit weird (I probably am), and im totally capable of cooking more interesting things, but its a lot of effort for very little personal satisfaction.

Plus theres so much excellent food out there, created by culinary experts, that I love to try. I save the fun for the pros :3

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#167

Post by throwawayboise » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:34 AM UTC

FredPret wrote: post #90

This is the kind of person who has a wifi password like welcome2007

Sounds like the kind of person who doesn't have wifi. My dad died at about his age, never had the slightest interest in the internet, and he was a career scientist and did a lot of computer programming (mostly FORTRAN). He main interest outside of work was gardening.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#168

Post by robbrown451 » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:37 AM UTC

isoskeles wrote: post #161

robbrown451 wrote: post #123

Does it strike anyone else as oddly ironic that he is so sad that people don't go to the effort to hear the cuckoos, and yet he basically doesn't want to experience... well, pretty much everything. It's great he's happy with the life he has chosen. But I personally find people who are even slightly like that (i.e. closed off to new experiences) depressing to be around. My parents are kind of like that, and have been…

I find them a bit less depressing than people frantically trying to experience "new" things as an effort to quiet the constant agitation of their souls.

I don't think that the reason I've tried Chinese food is to quiet the agitation of my soul. Do you?

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#169

Post by dzink » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:38 AM UTC

I find that our childhood joys imprint and become adult obsessions for some. If you grow up in one place, like this man, you may crave to stay there. If you are taken to new places frequently, you condition to want that. Happiest moments on the beach? You crave beaches. Favorite foods for a kid become comfort foods in adults. I grew up in the delta of the Danube, rich with fruit trees and amazing tomatoes. Ended up settling in a place that has great orchards within driving distance as well (every other climate felt really uncomfortable). Be careful how you condition your kids :)

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#170

Post by medium_burrito » Sat, May 08, 2021, 4:38 AM UTC

montenegrohugo wrote: post #7

There is value in finding your place in life and being content with it. Yes, you might be able to change it, perhaps to conform to more traditional standards of 'success', but why bother if you're happy as you are? If we humans optimize by happiness, then we should have nothing but envy for a life like Wilf Davies leads.

one must imagine Sisyphus happy