3 ms·

That this can happen and there is no public safety net is infuriating to me. This cannot happen in a civilized society. Can we, the HN community, do something f

by panta 9y ago

That this can happen and there is no public safety net is infuriating to me. This cannot happen in a civilized society. Can we, the HN community, do something for you? Maybe setup a collection towards an "honor loan" to give this guy some buffer to get up again?

hestipod 9y ago
I appreciate the thought but there are some issues that make such kindnesses difficult: 1. People like me need more than a one time donation or loan, we need long term support so we can even have the stability to TRY to rebuild. That's the purpose of those social systems people in my regions loathe so much. 2. There is an underlying suspicion/anger towards people who need money as it hits that "what if they are a scammer/they don't deserve it/they are being lazy" button in the subconscious. Even the nicest people aren't immune to this in practice. 3. My chances are slim even WITH help so there is a big chance I'd never be able to make good on it and I couldn't with good conscience accept any help without that being clearly understood. 4. My previous experiences with "offers" have taken a big toll on me as they have invariably been people trolling or looking for a quick feel good and never following through. What I think is the only truly possible and practical solution is for someone to "teach me how to fish" and hire me within my limits. That's still a charity and special opportunity in the end but it would allow me to at least have a path forward. Something a few hours a day at most, remote, that would be flexible enough to work with/around my pain and limits. My broken body dictates my schedule, and being in my 40s it's only getting worse naturally as well. I saw a guy post on reddit not long ago who sat at a computer tracking oil tankers and analyzing when they slowed or deviated in order to manipulate markets. Something like that would be great for me but it's not something that I can just "go out and do". The normal ideas people have for someone at home like content writing etc are A. Not as sustainable as people think and B. Soul killing. I always had jobs that contributed to the greater good so slaving away doing something I despise to enrich someone else, even if I could realistically do it, is just too much more mental weight to bear when everything else about my life sucks. It may sound choosy but you have to have SOME good parts to stay mentally intact. I need a positive purpose in addition to that ugly paper that buys life.
- panta 9y ago
  I understand your points and your frustration, but regarding point 1. you can't reasonably wait for the system to change in your region (especially with the current administration) (btw I don't know how feasible - but have you considered moving to a more friendly place?), for 2. probably many here on hn can be better discerning, for 3. if someone decides to help, he does it to increase your chances of success and without expecting any guarantee, that would be silly. Regarding the "teaching how to fish", maybe you could tell something more on what your inclinations and abilities are (if any, but almost everybody has some abilities in a form or another). This way maybe someone here finds a good match for some remote work suitable to you.
  - hestipod 9y ago
    I am not sure I could even sell what I realistically have very well. My previous career and education are so long ago nothing is relevant now and my CV is dead. As far as tech skills I am above average compared to my general age group/cohort, but likely nothing compared to HN types. I use Linux but not well. Very minor command line knowledge I don't know any programming languages and attempts to learn them have not gone well. I have LineageOS on my phone so can at least follow directions to install ROMs. Not a complete idiot, but not at all an expert. I am interested in privacy and use encryption when possible. I gravitate toward underdogs and people in need and if I won the Powerball (unlikely as I don't play) I would spend my life as a philanthropist helping those in need. I like SciFi and Space stuff, read a lot, love maps. Something beneficial like the tanker monitoring online I mentioned above would suit me. I have often joked being a professional Wikipedia or Memory Alpha reader would be perfect for me. I like clean, organized and minimal environments in general irl and online. There are a number of THINGS I could imagine myself being able to do and also enjoying...but I don't see any realistic path to doing so for a paycheck within my limits. I don't know if there is anything out there I am just not aware of that could work as well. Maybe I COULD learn to code with time and help but at first glance it's not something I find passion for. I would never make it in a normal high paced startup etc. I need stability but flexibility in anything I would do. I don't have the strength or energy to be in a "dynamic environment". I have hand issues along with many other broken bits so am not a very fast typist. Sorry for the scatter. Trying to think of relevant things to remote or tech work. I really don't know at this point...and this post itself is on the 3rd or 4th page by now so not likely many would even see my comment if there WAS someone out there with a good plan.

by panta 9y ago

hestipod 9y ago

I appreciate the thought but there are some issues that make such kindnesses difficult: 1. People like me need more than a one time donation or loan, we need long term support so we can even have the stability to TRY to rebuild. That's the purpose of those social systems people in my regions loathe so much. 2. There is an underlying suspicion/anger towards people who need money as it hits that "what if they are a scammer/they don't deserve it/they are being lazy" button in the subconscious. Even the nicest people aren't immune to this in practice. 3. My chances are slim even WITH help so there is a big chance I'd never be able to make good on it and I couldn't with good conscience accept any help without that being clearly understood. 4. My previous experiences with "offers" have taken a big toll on me as they have invariably been people trolling or looking for a quick feel good and never following through. What I think is the only truly possible and practical solution is for someone to "teach me how to fish" and hire me within my limits. That's still a charity and special opportunity in the end but it would allow me to at least have a path forward. Something a few hours a day at most, remote, that would be flexible enough to work with/around my pain and limits. My broken body dictates my schedule, and being in my 40s it's only getting worse naturally as well. I saw a guy post on reddit not long ago who sat at a computer tracking oil tankers and analyzing when they slowed or deviated in order to manipulate markets. Something like that would be great for me but it's not something that I can just "go out and do". The normal ideas people have for someone at home like content writing etc are A. Not as sustainable as people think and B. Soul killing. I always had jobs that contributed to the greater good so slaving away doing something I despise to enrich someone else, even if I could realistically do it, is just too much more mental weight to bear when everything else about my life sucks. It may sound choosy but you have to have SOME good parts to stay mentally intact. I need a positive purpose in addition to that ugly paper that buys life.

panta 9y ago
I understand your points and your frustration, but regarding point 1. you can't reasonably wait for the system to change in your region (especially with the current administration) (btw I don't know how feasible - but have you considered moving to a more friendly place?), for 2. probably many here on hn can be better discerning, for 3. if someone decides to help, he does it to increase your chances of success and without expecting any guarantee, that would be silly. Regarding the "teaching how to fish", maybe you could tell something more on what your inclinations and abilities are (if any, but almost everybody has some abilities in a form or another). This way maybe someone here finds a good match for some remote work suitable to you.
- hestipod 9y ago
  I am not sure I could even sell what I realistically have very well. My previous career and education are so long ago nothing is relevant now and my CV is dead. As far as tech skills I am above average compared to my general age group/cohort, but likely nothing compared to HN types. I use Linux but not well. Very minor command line knowledge I don't know any programming languages and attempts to learn them have not gone well. I have LineageOS on my phone so can at least follow directions to install ROMs. Not a complete idiot, but not at all an expert. I am interested in privacy and use encryption when possible. I gravitate toward underdogs and people in need and if I won the Powerball (unlikely as I don't play) I would spend my life as a philanthropist helping those in need. I like SciFi and Space stuff, read a lot, love maps. Something beneficial like the tanker monitoring online I mentioned above would suit me. I have often joked being a professional Wikipedia or Memory Alpha reader would be perfect for me. I like clean, organized and minimal environments in general irl and online. There are a number of THINGS I could imagine myself being able to do and also enjoying...but I don't see any realistic path to doing so for a paycheck within my limits. I don't know if there is anything out there I am just not aware of that could work as well. Maybe I COULD learn to code with time and help but at first glance it's not something I find passion for. I would never make it in a normal high paced startup etc. I need stability but flexibility in anything I would do. I don't have the strength or energy to be in a "dynamic environment". I have hand issues along with many other broken bits so am not a very fast typist. Sorry for the scatter. Trying to think of relevant things to remote or tech work. I really don't know at this point...and this post itself is on the 3rd or 4th page by now so not likely many would even see my comment if there WAS someone out there with a good plan.