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"Time" is something I rarely had as a teenager, and that was more than 15 years ago at this point. On top of all the normal high school-age pressures, I had ten

"Time" is something I rarely had as a teenager, and that was more than 15 years ago at this point. On top of all the normal high school-age pressures, I had tennis, martial arts, drum lessons, weekend volunteering, AND an unquenchable passion for computers. And with good grades and AP classes, all that got me nowhere higher than state universities. Whatever it would have taken for me to get better than that, it wouldn't have been worth it. I can't imagine what it's like for kids now. It must be hellishly difficult trying to find time for themselves. Gen-Z already is aware that they will not fare much better than me, at best. It must be tough being a kid today.

bipson 6y ago
There are different "paths" with different environments (parents). I had plenty of time, and my parents were rather open regarding hobbies/extracurricular activities. But they soon had "given up" on making me do thigs, caused by me quitting everything that wasn't novel and dismissing their "inputs". My father is also a generalist, and was never keen on getting focused on single skills (he has some mad skills on some fields though, e.g. swimming, and that took quite some time and effort). And although we were not poor, my father thought that hobbies don't have to be expensive, quite the opposite for kid's hobbies in fact (but we had our fair share of expensive hobbies and gear: snowboarding and bikes and unicycles and sailing and what not). But most prominently, being a kid of the eighties, and dur to my parents working with "IT-People" in their job, they thought computers were not at all a desirable past time for a kid/teenager (despite my very urgent interest). A waste of time, either toy or nerd-tool. Somewhat what people previously thought of books. So my biggest interest (programming) was always something I was myself dismissing and even avoiding for a few very important years, and I spent most of my time as a teenager in front of a TV, gaming or partying/meeting with friends outdoors. I could have spent that time... differently, and I am not blaming anyone, not my parents and not me. I had a good time, but I might have appreciated a little guidance/company. I just want to say I know why I was not a mad hacker at 17 - small details in paths are waiting everywhere, and there are more exceptions than rules.
- IggleSniggle 6y ago
  My parents were the same way. Computers are a waste of time and expensive diversion! They steered me into a much more important (to them) career, that was somewhat less my interest, but at least I was good at it: Music. I'm not kidding. It took me until less than a decade ago to revert the brainwashing and pursue my actual passion (computers and programming). I immediately doubled both my income and my joy-on-the-job.
- arthur_sav 6y ago
  I think most parents acted the same, my mother would always tell me to get off the computer and stop playing "video games". While i was indeed playing games... i also started reverse engineering the games at the age of 14 so i could cheat. That started around 2006 so it was a bit more acceptable to be all day on your pc but friends/family never really understood until way later in life.
BrandoElFollito 6y ago
I would add to that list (35 years ago) - girlfriends. This takes a lot of time too - when you are with them, and then also when you are not, but your brain is still with them anyway.
nomel 6y ago
My uncle raised his kids similarly, "they have to always be doing something!" with the side effect being that they sunk thousands of hours into learning skills that served no intellectual/real life purpose (beyond team building), and took time away from their actual interests. One was interested in building drones, but spent his time hitting balls with a stick, instead. Anytime I need someone to hit things with sticks, I call him. I haven't had to yet, but one of these days! Every success story, intellectual or not, involves passion and time. I'll never comprehend the mindset that completely prevents a kid from experiencing both.
golemiprague 6y ago
Why do you need to do all those things? especially if you are not interested in them. If you are into hacking just focus on hacking. Kids in high school got heaps of time, if you choose to waste it on useless hobbies it doesn't mean you dont have the time. It just sounds like some Asian tiger mum designed life, most teenagers refuse to live like that and they do get into good universities because universities are not stupid and they know how to assess people, especially outside the US where nobody cares about your personal activities.

bipson 6y ago

There are different "paths" with different environments (parents). I had plenty of time, and my parents were rather open regarding hobbies/extracurricular activities. But they soon had "given up" on making me do thigs, caused by me quitting everything that wasn't novel and dismissing their "inputs". My father is also a generalist, and was never keen on getting focused on single skills (he has some mad skills on some fields though, e.g. swimming, and that took quite some time and effort). And although we were not poor, my father thought that hobbies don't have to be expensive, quite the opposite for kid's hobbies in fact (but we had our fair share of expensive hobbies and gear: snowboarding and bikes and unicycles and sailing and what not). But most prominently, being a kid of the eighties, and dur to my parents working with "IT-People" in their job, they thought computers were not at all a desirable past time for a kid/teenager (despite my very urgent interest). A waste of time, either toy or nerd-tool. Somewhat what people previously thought of books. So my biggest interest (programming) was always something I was myself dismissing and even avoiding for a few very important years, and I spent most of my time as a teenager in front of a TV, gaming or partying/meeting with friends outdoors. I could have spent that time... differently, and I am not blaming anyone, not my parents and not me. I had a good time, but I might have appreciated a little guidance/company. I just want to say I know why I was not a mad hacker at 17 - small details in paths are waiting everywhere, and there are more exceptions than rules.

IggleSniggle 6y ago
My parents were the same way. Computers are a waste of time and expensive diversion! They steered me into a much more important (to them) career, that was somewhat less my interest, but at least I was good at it: Music. I'm not kidding. It took me until less than a decade ago to revert the brainwashing and pursue my actual passion (computers and programming). I immediately doubled both my income and my joy-on-the-job.
arthur_sav 6y ago
I think most parents acted the same, my mother would always tell me to get off the computer and stop playing "video games". While i was indeed playing games... i also started reverse engineering the games at the age of 14 so i could cheat. That started around 2006 so it was a bit more acceptable to be all day on your pc but friends/family never really understood until way later in life.

BrandoElFollito 6y ago

I would add to that list (35 years ago) - girlfriends. This takes a lot of time too - when you are with them, and then also when you are not, but your brain is still with them anyway.

nomel 6y ago

My uncle raised his kids similarly, "they have to always be doing something!" with the side effect being that they sunk thousands of hours into learning skills that served no intellectual/real life purpose (beyond team building), and took time away from their actual interests. One was interested in building drones, but spent his time hitting balls with a stick, instead. Anytime I need someone to hit things with sticks, I call him. I haven't had to yet, but one of these days! Every success story, intellectual or not, involves passion and time. I'll never comprehend the mindset that completely prevents a kid from experiencing both.

golemiprague 6y ago

Why do you need to do all those things? especially if you are not interested in them. If you are into hacking just focus on hacking. Kids in high school got heaps of time, if you choose to waste it on useless hobbies it doesn't mean you dont have the time. It just sounds like some Asian tiger mum designed life, most teenagers refuse to live like that and they do get into good universities because universities are not stupid and they know how to assess people, especially outside the US where nobody cares about your personal activities.