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I am going through SICP. I have just begun. I am learning more about Transformers architecture and modern NLP using the Hugging Face API. Building a computer

by truth_ 5y ago

I am going through SICP. I have just begun. I am learning more about Transformers architecture and modern NLP using the Hugging Face API. Building a computer from scratch using nand2tetris on Sundays. Learning to meditate following a detailed meditation guide. This has been working better than I expected. Going on and off with learning classical music online (with a piano). Learning German. I am primarily focused on learning deploying AI to embedded devices right now. Working with the TinyML book and the course on edX. As someone who does Computer Vision for a living, and always loved Electronics in college (no microcontrollers experience), I am finding it right at home with this. I wish I had started earlier. Really liking the experience.

whoisburbansky 5y ago
What's the meditation guide you're following?
- truth_ 5y ago
  You can look up "The Mind Illuminated" by Yates (Culadasa) and Immergut. It is completely devoid of run-of-the-mill pseudo-spiritual stuff, and consists of practical advice that you can follow. It is a complete guide that provides step-by-step instructions.
  - whoisburbansky 5y ago
    Ah, perfect, that's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for, thank you!
  - dthul 5y ago
    I started reading this book some years ago but quickly gave up when after the first chapters it was made clear that you would have to put a lot of time into the practice. I don't remember what the book's recommendation was. How much time do you spend on it?
    - truth_ 5y ago
      I do the walking meditation part now and then mentioned in the appendix. Btw, they just ask 45 minutes per day. It's not much. I spend anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour learning and practicing.
NickM 5y ago
Those are a lot of things to be learning at once, I'm impressed you're keeping up with all that. Do you mind if I ask what your time management looks like? I'm curious how many hours you spend a week on this stuff, and how much of you free time it takes up. I also like to learn a lot of different things on the side but I struggle to find time for everything that I want to cover.
- truth_ 5y ago
  Well, I will have to write many paragraphs to fully understand your questions. Let me tell you that I am highly unsuccessul as a piano player. I cannot play much more than a few simple "pieces". Becaue I am highly irregular. And apart from work and reading SICP, I don't do everything everyday. I read SICP 7 days a week. But work only five. No Deep Learning on Sundays. On Saturdays, no work, only personal learning, reading papers, attending study groups, etc. Actually I can work for no more than five hours a day- proper, hard work, "deep work" if I may. I want to extend that to 8/10. That is my main motivation behind meditation. I am better than most in concentrating during learning and work. I just want that to last for longer hours. I studied Electronics and Computer Architecture (from the Mano book mostly) before, so I don't find nand2tetris very challenging. It is fairly challenging at times, but not the hardest thing that I do. It's more fun than challenge. SICP is challenging at times. But I spend time with it very regularly, say 1-2 hours a day. I have learned from my experiences that, when you are learning something fundamental, new, it is best to learn it over many days and months rather than bouts of short sprints. So, I am regular with it, but don't spend long hours. Being with a highly career focused partner helps a lot, too. I discussed my time management techniques here- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27356883 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27356883 I spend 30 or so minutes every day reading novels, poetry or about the culture and history of the Bengali people. I also exercise regularly. I like to swim, but pools are closed.

by truth_ 5y ago

whoisburbansky 5y ago

What's the meditation guide you're following?

truth_ 5y ago
You can look up "The Mind Illuminated" by Yates (Culadasa) and Immergut. It is completely devoid of run-of-the-mill pseudo-spiritual stuff, and consists of practical advice that you can follow. It is a complete guide that provides step-by-step instructions.
- whoisburbansky 5y ago
  Ah, perfect, that's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for, thank you!
- dthul 5y ago
  I started reading this book some years ago but quickly gave up when after the first chapters it was made clear that you would have to put a lot of time into the practice. I don't remember what the book's recommendation was. How much time do you spend on it?
  - truth_ 5y ago
    I do the walking meditation part now and then mentioned in the appendix. Btw, they just ask 45 minutes per day. It's not much. I spend anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour learning and practicing.

NickM 5y ago

Those are a lot of things to be learning at once, I'm impressed you're keeping up with all that. Do you mind if I ask what your time management looks like? I'm curious how many hours you spend a week on this stuff, and how much of you free time it takes up. I also like to learn a lot of different things on the side but I struggle to find time for everything that I want to cover.

truth_ 5y ago
Well, I will have to write many paragraphs to fully understand your questions. Let me tell you that I am highly unsuccessul as a piano player. I cannot play much more than a few simple "pieces". Becaue I am highly irregular. And apart from work and reading SICP, I don't do everything everyday. I read SICP 7 days a week. But work only five. No Deep Learning on Sundays. On Saturdays, no work, only personal learning, reading papers, attending study groups, etc. Actually I can work for no more than five hours a day- proper, hard work, "deep work" if I may. I want to extend that to 8/10. That is my main motivation behind meditation. I am better than most in concentrating during learning and work. I just want that to last for longer hours. I studied Electronics and Computer Architecture (from the Mano book mostly) before, so I don't find nand2tetris very challenging. It is fairly challenging at times, but not the hardest thing that I do. It's more fun than challenge. SICP is challenging at times. But I spend time with it very regularly, say 1-2 hours a day. I have learned from my experiences that, when you are learning something fundamental, new, it is best to learn it over many days and months rather than bouts of short sprints. So, I am regular with it, but don't spend long hours. Being with a highly career focused partner helps a lot, too. I discussed my time management techniques here- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27356883 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27356883 I spend 30 or so minutes every day reading novels, poetry or about the culture and history of the Bengali people. I also exercise regularly. I like to swim, but pools are closed.