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Hacker News?

by drats 16y ago

Hacker News?

RiderOfGiraffes 16y ago
I agree that it's not Hacker News, but it is intellectually engaging, and there are lessons to be learned ... Conflict resolution, finding common ground, agreeing differences that exist, but don't have to matter, and the observation that today we can invest all of 3 minutes to discover stuff, then decide whether we want to know more. When I was 22 I moved country, and I knew nothing about where I was going. Encyclopedias told me very, very little, and after days, literally days, in the library, I still knew almost nothing. Today I can spend 5 minutes on the 'net and know more in that time than I could've found in days of diligent, comprehensive, but above all boring research. Read with the intent of learning - not all lessons are obvious, and some are worth more for having found them, rather than being given them.
- ABrandt 16y ago
  I think its been particularly interesting growing up during this transitional period. I'm 21 now, but I can remember up to about the 6th grade when card catalogs and encyclopedias were still pushed on us at school. But the internet was coming into its own during this period as well. These parallel environments have given my generation a unique perspective of the web. We've essentially grown up together--perhaps there's a psychological connection here that can explain other behaviors.
CitizenKane 16y ago
FWIW, I submitted it because I found it intellecually engaging. I think there is a lesson here that's pertinent for hackers, being able to take a situation and look at in a unique way. Then taking that unique perspective and using it to your advantage. But what I love about Derek's writing is that there always seems to be a lot of interesting nuggets of wisdom that they contain. I think there is a lot of interesting material here and that it could be taken a lot of different ways depending on the reader's perspective.
- rue 16y ago
  I did not find it in any way engaging. Embarrassing, rather. The "discussion" is not original, as was pointed out earlier, and rather poorly presented (granted the possible real protagonist may have been more charismatic.) On the other hand, if someone does find it useful or educational, I suppose the only fault can be found in myself for not having pointed to the same insight.
  - ErrantX 16y ago
    With the greatest respect; i'm not sure that everythign posted here has to be educational or useful. Sivers' writing is generally "inspirational" (I love his writing style), light hearted and informative. I actually think there is a very deep and important point to be learned from this particular post.
    - rue 16y ago
      You do not consider learning a "very deep and important point" to be educational nor useful? :) However you wish to refer to your experience, for one reason or another I did not share it but, as I was musing, that is sort of irrelevant since someone did.
      - ErrantX 16y ago
        Hmm, I was making a point regarding your comment and a weird mix of the original "not hacker news" one and your own. Sorry :( Formally: 1) I actually do think it is educational 2) Regardless, things posted to HN, surely, don't have to be educational all the time! :) To discuss your post a bit more: I think you missed the point. The subject of Sivers anecdote was irrelevant; as I read it (and the following explanation) it is about learning things :)

Hacker News?

by drats 16y ago

Hacker News?

I agree that it's not Hacker News, but it is intellectually engaging, and there are lessons to be learned ... Conflict resolution, finding common ground, agreeing differences that exist, but don't have to matter, and the observation that today we can invest all of 3 minutes to discover stuff, then decide whether we want to know more. When I was 22 I moved country, and I knew nothing about where I was going. Encyclopedias told me very, very little, and after days, literally days, in the library, I still knew almost nothing. Today I can spend 5 minutes on the 'net and know more in that time than I could've found in days of diligent, comprehensive, but above all boring research. Read with the intent of learning - not all lessons are obvious, and some are worth more for having found them, rather than being given them.

ABrandt 16y ago
I think its been particularly interesting growing up during this transitional period. I'm 21 now, but I can remember up to about the 6th grade when card catalogs and encyclopedias were still pushed on us at school. But the internet was coming into its own during this period as well. These parallel environments have given my generation a unique perspective of the web. We've essentially grown up together--perhaps there's a psychological connection here that can explain other behaviors.

CitizenKane 16y ago

FWIW, I submitted it because I found it intellecually engaging. I think there is a lesson here that's pertinent for hackers, being able to take a situation and look at in a unique way. Then taking that unique perspective and using it to your advantage. But what I love about Derek's writing is that there always seems to be a lot of interesting nuggets of wisdom that they contain. I think there is a lot of interesting material here and that it could be taken a lot of different ways depending on the reader's perspective.

rue 16y ago
I did not find it in any way engaging. Embarrassing, rather. The "discussion" is not original, as was pointed out earlier, and rather poorly presented (granted the possible real protagonist may have been more charismatic.) On the other hand, if someone does find it useful or educational, I suppose the only fault can be found in myself for not having pointed to the same insight.
- ErrantX 16y ago
  With the greatest respect; i'm not sure that everythign posted here has to be educational or useful. Sivers' writing is generally "inspirational" (I love his writing style), light hearted and informative. I actually think there is a very deep and important point to be learned from this particular post.
  - rue 16y ago
    You do not consider learning a "very deep and important point" to be educational nor useful? :) However you wish to refer to your experience, for one reason or another I did not share it but, as I was musing, that is sort of irrelevant since someone did.
    - ErrantX 16y ago
      Hmm, I was making a point regarding your comment and a weird mix of the original "not hacker news" one and your own. Sorry :( Formally: 1) I actually do think it is educational 2) Regardless, things posted to HN, surely, don't have to be educational all the time! :) To discuss your post a bit more: I think you missed the point. The subject of Sivers anecdote was irrelevant; as I read it (and the following explanation) it is about learning things :)