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How my genius roommate changed my perspective

farhadg.com

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Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#221

Post by robocat »

penjelly wrote: post #97
unkulunkulu wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you actually hear him talk? There is no need to be insecure about your body’s abilities. Not only “alfa” males can do things. “He can do it you can (potentially) do it” sounds quite proven to me, do you disagree? So the only question (for me) is “can he do what he says he can”.

wim had world records in ice diving and has worked with researchers on studying his breathing technique. that said, HE IS AN ANOMALY. Hes been shown to have higher brown fat percentage then the average male (including his own twin). so no, just because he can do crazy things like dive into a frozen lake for X minutes doesnt mean the average person can. That said. the breathing exercises and cold showers DO have a pos…

> Hes been shown to have higher brown fat percentage then the average male

Cause, or effect? I think you are implying he was born an anomaly, rather than that he has become special using his techniques.

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#222

Post by kbelder »

mod wrote: post #176
nobrains wrote: post #43

This is amazing. My dad is like this, very resourceful with very less and creative with the limited resources he has as hand, and has lived/survived through life like this. But there is a problem now. As a family, thanks to the incomes of the kids, have enough to survive (and thrive), but he continues with his efficiency-only approach, instead of the just-buy-it approach. - So, we see plastic bottle based plant pots…

You sound really reasonable, so I recommend talking to him, maybe in less absolute terms if he'll still get it, and tell him things like "please spray paint outside" and "please design for aesthetics as well as functionality if the object will not be temporary", or whatever other types of solutions make sense to you. Some kind of compromise. Or, my real recommendation--search for a new perspective, because you're so…

My family and I moved into a new house a few months ago, after we lost our previous home in a fire.

I've always been a tinkerer and a builder, but not professionally, and would always make functional but ugly items. Consequence of a poor, rural upbringing, I suppose. But in the new house, I resolved to put in the extra effort (and expense, but mainly labor) to build esthetically pleasing, high-quality repairs.

Staining and finishing the wood, sinking and covering the screws, squaring corners _exactly_, buying the proper tools for the job, that sort of thing. And it has been really rewarding. It doesn't feel like a bother or needless expense; it feels like growth, a new layer of expertise.

Seeing the wife posting pictures on Facebook saying "my husband built this!" was also a nice reward.

Anyway, I think that one strategy with that sort of person is to encourage them. Don't try to stop them, challenge them to learn drywall repair so they can hide the plumbing like a pro.

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#223

Post by MonkeyClub »

doctoboggan wrote: post #58

There is something very fulfilling (at least to me) about working this way. Not solving the problem in the best way, but solving it in the way you can _right now_. When I was younger this was how I solved most problems, but in my professional life I can't really do that (and for mostly good reasons). I follow someone on YouTube who moved to a small island in Panama, built his house, many boats, and lots of other item…

Could you share a link to the Panama guy? (Asking for a friend.)

Edit: Got it, this one as per the other comments: https://youtube.com/user/JMEMantzel/videos

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#224

Post by mod »

kbelder wrote: post #222
mod wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You sound really reasonable, so I recommend talking to him, maybe in less absolute terms if he'll still get it, and tell him things like "please spray paint outside" and "please design for aesthetics as well as functionality if the object will not be temporary", or whatever other types of solutions make sense to you. Some kind of compromise. Or, my real recommendation--search for a new perspective, because you're so…

My family and I moved into a new house a few months ago, after we lost our previous home in a fire. I've always been a tinkerer and a builder, but not professionally, and would always make functional but ugly items. Consequence of a poor, rural upbringing, I suppose. But in the new house, I resolved to put in the extra effort (and expense, but mainly labor) to build esthetically pleasing, high-quality repairs. Staini…

I went through the same experiences! I have a 40 acres homestead and that means plenty of custom projects.

After a while I was tired of ugly solutions, so I've been forcing myself to make them pleasing to the eye.

I was largely inspired by a youtuber, channel name Pask Makes. Everything the guy makes is highly functional and also so, so good looking. Better than I can achieve, but I'm working on it.

Highly recommend checking him out for inspiration, although most of what he builds are shop projects (tools etc).

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#225

Post by AussieWog93 »

vimacs2 wrote: post #79
AussieWog93 wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For anyone else who is unfamiliar with old Chinese measurement systems, Wikipedia specifies the catty at around 600g. This means that the family received about 60kg of gold, or around US$3.6m at today's spot prices - a handsome reward for their valuable formula. Even in the ancient proverbs, capitalism is the optimal way to allocate resources, and this efficient allocation benefits all. Someone should let Xi know abo…

Yes, very efficient. Meanwhile nearly all of the peasantry subsisted on rice and suffered from malnutrition and frequent birth defects. Also, this has nothing to do with capitalism. It's just exchange of money which had existed long before that system first developed in the city states of Italy.

Gottem

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#226

Post by pseudoramble »

Nice post. I have nothing in particular to add to this post except that several moons ago I worked with the author for a brief time. So it was surprising to see this name pop up here again. He's an interesting fellow who does some interesting dev work, last I checked was with WebGL, and I believe was writing a book at the time too.

At that time, and due to the circumstances, I was kind of cranky and probably not terribly fun to be around. But I enjoyed getting to know @FarhadG through that time though. So if you happen to see this, hope all is well!

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#227

Post by FarhadG »

pseudoramble wrote: post #226

Nice post. I have nothing in particular to add to this post except that several moons ago I worked with the author for a brief time. So it was surprising to see this name pop up here again. He's an interesting fellow who does some interesting dev work, last I checked was with WebGL, and I believe was writing a book at the time too. At that time, and due to the circumstances, I was kind of cranky and probably not terr…

(Author here) Just did a quick search and I'm so delighted to hear from you. Strange that you considered yourself as "cranky." Really? I mean, really? I genuinely thought you were THE most helpful and approachable dev. You were always receptive and open to problem solving.

Thank you for reaching out. You made my day. Hope our paths cross again.

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#228

Post by pseudoramble »

FarhadG wrote: post #227
pseudoramble wrote: post #226

Nice post. I have nothing in particular to add to this post except that several moons ago I worked with the author for a brief time. So it was surprising to see this name pop up here again. He's an interesting fellow who does some interesting dev work, last I checked was with WebGL, and I believe was writing a book at the time too. At that time, and due to the circumstances, I was kind of cranky and probably not terr…

(Author here) Just did a quick search and I'm so delighted to hear from you. Strange that you considered yourself as "cranky." Really? I mean, really? I genuinely thought you were THE most helpful and approachable dev. You were always receptive and open to problem solving. Thank you for reaching out. You made my day. Hope our paths cross again.

Maybe it was more in my head than I realized, but I was in a bad place at the time. So it feels that way looking back on it. I appreciate the kind words!

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#229

Post by ikr678 »

FarhadG wrote: post #199
rurp wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hadn't really thought about it in these terms before, but your comment made me realize this mindset is probably a big part of why I like spending time in wilderness areas. Being without cell service miles from another group of people very much forces a "figure it out" attitude. Solving a tricky situation, with some consequence at stake and using a hodgepodge of resources, is deeply satisfying for me.

(Author here) Do you think that "figure it out" attitude helps make you become more present and alive? The moments I come out of my numb and autonomous ways of operating, I feel "alive," and it's often associated with that "figure it out" feeling.

This is how I feel about cooking. I get more satisfaction out of cooking with limited ingredients or with limited tools available, than I do when cooking with more serious foodie friends who have custom made kitchens and fully stocked exotic pantries.

Re: How my genius roommate changed my perspective

#230

Post by pxc »

xwdv wrote: post #218
pxc wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

one used it to relieve his neighbors, the other used it to relieve professional killers

one had the knowledge, the other had the vision

I had to laugh out loud at the unrelenting darkness of that response

well done

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