Live data from Hacker News

Start doing more things alone

washingtonpost.com

61–70 of 111 posts

Re: Start doing more things alone

#61
post #52

I would extend this and say start doing more things alone without technology. It's about building trust with yourself, believing in you to be able to not only survive any situation, but to thrive. We use people and technology as a social crutch and it limits our understanding of ourselves. I hitchhiked throughout New Zealand by myself when I was 18 for 6 months and although it was a little uncomfortable and even scar…

I don't know how to camp or maintain a fire. Would you still recommend it?

It's very easy to learn. Find someone willing to go camping with you for a weekend and teach you the basics. It'll really just take a few hours and you'll enjoy the rest of the time.

Re: Start doing more things alone

#62
post #33

I think "rolling solo" as a guy doing cold approach pickup is one of the most badass learning experiences you can have. It has taught me so much about how to fearlessly socialize with strangers in a completely non-needy (not to mention non-creepy) way. Also, all of the bullsh*t that you have to deal with just in terms of getting into good clubs (at least in NYC, where you have to promote girls into the door just to g…

Agreed. I'm also in nyc doing the same thing you are. Always interested in meeting other people in nyc doing the same. Let me know if you ever want to meet up.

wtf was this exchange?

Re: Start doing more things alone

#63
post #52

I would extend this and say start doing more things alone without technology. It's about building trust with yourself, believing in you to be able to not only survive any situation, but to thrive. We use people and technology as a social crutch and it limits our understanding of ourselves. I hitchhiked throughout New Zealand by myself when I was 18 for 6 months and although it was a little uncomfortable and even scar…

I don't know how to camp or maintain a fire. Would you still recommend it?

Not to be glib, but there's only one way to learn, really.

Maintaining a fire isn't all that hard, and neither is pitching a tent, after you've done it once.

That said, I would personally recommend camping your first time with others, even if just on a meetup group or something (there's probably one in your area if you look, and if there's not, you can start one), though it's not critical.

Pitching a tent can be frustrating, but if you get to your campsite while there's still plenty of light, it's not that hard. Avoid doing it at night until you get experience, and you should be fine. As for starting a fire, take a piece of fire log and a lighter. Add small sticks and progressively larger ones. Read an article about it or two. It isn't that hard, though plenty of folks are opinionated about it -- like starting a fire with charcoals.

My email address is in my profile, and I'm an insanely avid camper / hiker, so feel free to email me, and I can give you tips, checklists, etc., etc.

Re: Start doing more things alone

#64

Halfway into my fourth year in college, I developed a major funk that led to me failing several classes. My dad took me out to lunch one day for a "what are you doing with your life?" talk. He had been very strict about schoolwork and grades when I was younger (and throughout much of my college career), so I was expecting to be badgered and threatened with his vision of my bleak future if I didn't turn things around.…

I've found myself in a similar situation, I think. I'd like to do some travelling but I find myself getting hung up on money and overall I just don't know what I would spend my time doing. What did you do once you arrived in a town or city? I really would love to have an idea of what one would do in a situation like that.

I personally like reading in different countries.

It sounds silly, but I really do. I toured ireland by bike with a friend of mine (so I wasn't alone) and there were a few times we split up and went off onto different paths, then would meet up later. I liked seeing things, meeting other people, and finding little used bookstores to sell of my previous book and buy another. Then I'd find a little cafe or restaurant and read a little.

I guess that's mostly just to say that you can really do whatever you enjoy normally for fun; sometimes it just feels better doing it in a different location, around a different culture. At first I thought "man, I wasted my money flying out here to read" but then I realized that I really liked it, and so, who cares? It was great.

I agree with the sibling post, also. I spent about a month in Thailand on a grand or so. We went all over the place. Chiang Mai was my favorite area, personally. Lots of culture, and lots to see all over, though.

Re: Start doing more things alone

#65
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kind of off topic, but your comment reminded me of something that I've wondered about for a couple of months. I was in the US (NYC) last year and went to a music event at a bar. My girlfriend and I were there an hour early, so we grabbed a table of four near the front (we were meeting two other friends). When our friends arrived and sat down, we noticed that someone had left a jacket on one of the chairs at our table…

Maybe he was alone, he went to buy a drink and came back to find his seat taken? I wouldn't be too surprised if leaving your jacket to claim a seat is a common practice among older generations. If I imagine the setting to be 50's/60's, and watched it in a movie, it would seem you were the assholes. At least offer him a space in the table to join you. Alas, this is the modern times, so my critique does not apply, it's…

TIL I am part of the "older generation". Kids today don't know to leave a jacket on a chair or movie theater seat to claim your territory?

Regarding the original question, the couple that arrived early should have "claimed" the two empty chairs by placing jackets or some other items on them. Failing that, they should have been alert to the "older" man who put his jacket down on it and immediately stated that the seat was already taken.

Re: Start doing more things alone

#66
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe he was alone, he went to buy a drink and came back to find his seat taken? I wouldn't be too surprised if leaving your jacket to claim a seat is a common practice among older generations. If I imagine the setting to be 50's/60's, and watched it in a movie, it would seem you were the assholes. At least offer him a space in the table to join you. Alas, this is the modern times, so my critique does not apply, it's…

TIL I am part of the "older generation". Kids today don't know to leave a jacket on a chair or movie theater seat to claim your territory? Regarding the original question, the couple that arrived early should have "claimed" the two empty chairs by placing jackets or some other items on them. Failing that, they should have been alert to the "older" man who put his jacket down on it and immediately stated that the seat…

I agree with you - but I've done that myself and still had my seat taken before, even with my stuff on the table, it only got moved to the corner! I only went to the bathroom and back. I told him to get up, he refused, and I only got it back after insisted he give me 10 minutes to finish my work - and then I gave it back to him (he was with his friends so he didn't want to be humiliated). My description of modern "etiquette" was descriptive, not prescriptive.

P.S. I specified older generation because the parent specified "older man".

Re: Start doing more things alone

#67
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe he was alone, he went to buy a drink and came back to find his seat taken? I wouldn't be too surprised if leaving your jacket to claim a seat is a common practice among older generations. If I imagine the setting to be 50's/60's, and watched it in a movie, it would seem you were the assholes. At least offer him a space in the table to join you. Alas, this is the modern times, so my critique does not apply, it's…

TIL I am part of the "older generation". Kids today don't know to leave a jacket on a chair or movie theater seat to claim your territory? Regarding the original question, the couple that arrived early should have "claimed" the two empty chairs by placing jackets or some other items on them. Failing that, they should have been alert to the "older" man who put his jacket down on it and immediately stated that the seat…

Well, I don't know about the "older generation", but I grew up being taught all throughout life to not leave any of my belongings anywhere unless I want them to get stolen.

Whenever I'm out somewhere with someone else and they set anything down on a table (jacket, hat, notes, wallet, anything) and get up to use the restroom, they say, "Make sure no one takes anything." I say the same.

I'm not sure if this is just a generational thing that follows from "stranger danger" or what.

Re: Start doing more things alone

#68
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. I'm also in nyc doing the same thing you are. Always interested in meeting other people in nyc doing the same. Let me know if you ever want to meet up.

wtf was this exchange?

it was a wtf, literally!

Re: Start doing more things alone

#69
post #45
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a thing called the Principle of Charity. Basically, if there's two ways to read something, try using the more charitable way, the way that's kinder and nicer, the way that doesn't assume the author is a moron. You'll find things are a lot simpler and less confrontational that way.

Hmm, well why not try applying that principle to dpatrick86? I see nothing in his comment that assumes the author is a moron.

Perhaps onion2k could just be remarking that dpatrick86's comment is a good example, and in fact he isn't assuming that dpatrick86 is assuming that the author is a moron? :)

Ad infinitum.

Re: Start doing more things alone

#70
post #2

Researchers have nothing better to do than explore the harmless neuroses of the middle class?

Then everything on HN caters to the neuroses of the middle class.

You got food 'n' shelter, what more do you want? Why you interested in Rust or Elon Musk?

Post reply on HN