I started programming when I was 7 years old. I used this goofy thing called TrueBASIC, which was the result of the guys from Dartmouth who did the original BAS

I started programming when I was 7 years old. I used this goofy thing called TrueBASIC, which was the result of the guys from Dartmouth who did the original BASIC trying to go back and modernize it. Then I moved onto HyperCard and a bunch of other languages like that. It gave me a headstart in my field, but not proportional to the time spent. What I did learn from these experiences making games and little apps with other kids online was that it's perfectly natural to put a ton of effort into something that no one else is expecting you to do. That you can actually have fun working and learning. That having real pride in your work is a motivator like no other. This seems pretty common to us HN folks, but I know so many people who are afraid to do anything outside of school/work because the either the concept of intrinsic motivation is alien or because they're afraid to invest effort into something "unsanctioned" that they could fail at.