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> Thinking about this. When I was young I spend an unnatural, lot of time in front of screens. Here is what I did: I learned BASIC, REXX, C, x86 assembler, Pasc

> Thinking about this. When I was young I spend an unnatural, lot of time in front of screens. Here is what I did: I learned BASIC, REXX, C, x86 assembler, Pascal, and Prolog. I learned to make software for a home comuputer, then for a real PC. It was productive, made money for me, and helped me develop a skillset that has resulted in six companies created, a couple hundred people having jobs, and a decent life for my family. I have exactly zero regrets for spending time with the computer. Didn't you get pushback from that from your parents or family? In the 80s spending so much time on the computer was much more 'weird' than spending as much time on a phone is now. Remember people calling us nerds and saying we'd get square eyes? I don't hear anyone complaining about this in regards to mobiles now.

indymike 4y ago
> Didn't you get pushback from that from your parents or family? No, my parents were ok with it as long as I took care of the lawn (my Dad had MS and couldn't chase the mower) and didn't flunk out of high school. I also got a job programming at age 16 (writing medical diagnostic aids), and so they saw me making very good money for a 16 year old. > In the 80s spending so much time on the computer was much more 'weird' than spending as much time on a phone is now. I really don't have a good reference on what normal was. I spent a lot of time with the computer, put a lot of miles on training for cycling, and played soccer and went to school in between. I just did my thing, and didn't really worry about it.
- GekkePrutser 4y ago
  > I really don't have a good reference on what normal was. I spent a lot of time with the computer, put a lot of miles on training for cycling, and played soccer and went to school in between. I just did my thing, and didn't really worry about it. Well it was kinda normal for nerds. But nerds were not really 'normal' (though very common anyhow!). I think for people born later it's hard to understand since IT is now taken in much higher regard. I mean if I tell people I'm in IT/Cybersec at a meetup they're usually like "wow cool" which exactly the opposite of what would happen in the 80s :D You'd be viewed as a total dork wasting their time. You don't sound like a typical nerd though. Most of my nerd friends (and certainly myself) would not do any kind of sports. Especially teamsports.
  - indymike 4y ago
    > You don't sound like a typical nerd though. Most of my nerd friends (and certainly myself) would not do any kind of sports. Especially teamsports. I think the definition of a nerd is to be atypical. I'm glad it's celebrated now, as it should be.

indymike 4y ago

> Didn't you get pushback from that from your parents or family? No, my parents were ok with it as long as I took care of the lawn (my Dad had MS and couldn't chase the mower) and didn't flunk out of high school. I also got a job programming at age 16 (writing medical diagnostic aids), and so they saw me making very good money for a 16 year old. > In the 80s spending so much time on the computer was much more 'weird' than spending as much time on a phone is now. I really don't have a good reference on what normal was. I spent a lot of time with the computer, put a lot of miles on training for cycling, and played soccer and went to school in between. I just did my thing, and didn't really worry about it.

GekkePrutser 4y ago
> I really don't have a good reference on what normal was. I spent a lot of time with the computer, put a lot of miles on training for cycling, and played soccer and went to school in between. I just did my thing, and didn't really worry about it. Well it was kinda normal for nerds. But nerds were not really 'normal' (though very common anyhow!). I think for people born later it's hard to understand since IT is now taken in much higher regard. I mean if I tell people I'm in IT/Cybersec at a meetup they're usually like "wow cool" which exactly the opposite of what would happen in the 80s :D You'd be viewed as a total dork wasting their time. You don't sound like a typical nerd though. Most of my nerd friends (and certainly myself) would not do any kind of sports. Especially teamsports.
- indymike 4y ago
  > You don't sound like a typical nerd though. Most of my nerd friends (and certainly myself) would not do any kind of sports. Especially teamsports. I think the definition of a nerd is to be atypical. I'm glad it's celebrated now, as it should be.