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Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by da02 on Thursday June 15, 2017 @11:37PM (#14566497)
Can you share just one incredible thing with people here who never worked out in nature? I'm very curious.
Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by soupbowl on Friday June 16, 2017 @12:45AM (#14566732)
I was working nightshift in an area with a lot of timber wolves. For three nights after sunset one wolf would sit just in the range of my lights and watch me. Dayshift would see the rest of the wolf packs tracks behind my machine each morning. Each night when I would drive home that single wolf would lead me out of the work site by walking ahead of my truck (The roads are rough, you have to drive slow). The most interesting thing that I noticed was: (besides how surprisingly large a timberwolf is) the wolf always walked in the shallowest snow. It is hard to explain why it was interesting, the wolf just seemed very aware and thought out in the way it moved.

I have also spent time with Lynx at a close proximity, both times they purred and acted like a house cat. Before hissing and slowly walking away.

Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by tomcam on Friday June 16, 2017 @01:09AM (#14566820)
Please just start blogging the way you talk. Don't think of it as writing at all. That paragraph was golden .
Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by Inconel on Friday June 16, 2017 @03:31AM (#14567234)
I'm going to echo the chorus of praise from others, your writing is great and you should definitely consider blogging about your experiences.

I'd also like to point out how great it is that we have such varied commenters here on HN. I checked in tonight to see what's new with the NSA/Apple/Snapchat/usual tech stories of the day, and instead I got this gem about the timber industry and wolves.

Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by mahin on Friday June 16, 2017 @02:43AM (#14567065)
That was lovely. I created an account just to tell you to please keep writing. I'd love to hear more about your work in the woods.
Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by twakefield on Friday June 16, 2017 @01:06AM (#14566811)
From this small sample, I'd say you're a pretty darn good writer...at least as judged by telling interesting stories.
Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by bcook on Friday June 16, 2017 @01:26AM (#14566859)
In agreement with the other replies, I enjoy your writing. I mean, your experience isn't super-interesting but you describe it almost poetically.
Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by dkersten on Friday June 16, 2017 @04:50AM (#14567497)
I would also happily read more about your experiences!
Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by edem on Friday June 16, 2017 @05:16AM (#14567589)
I would LOVE to read your stories. I am working on a simulation based game and stories like these are a great inspiration.
Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by eicossa on Friday June 16, 2017 @07:51AM (#14568129)
> working on a simulation based game > stories like these are a great inspiration

I'm sorry if I come across as stupid. I don't see the connection between these two assertions.

Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by Crespyl on Friday June 16, 2017 @09:48AM (#14568897)
Interesting stories can provide a useful framework for inspiration, setting goals, or looking at what "rule sets" are in play.

If it's intended to be a "simulate (a substantial part of) everything" game, the above stories suggest game elements such as different depths of snow, non-hostile wild animal interactions, animal pathing behavior in snow, tracks, and animal habits/routines.

Dwarf Fortress has for a long time used short stories to describe interesting interactions that the developers like, and then tried to add features to the game until similar events can just happen naturally.

Re:A Startup Making Paper Out of Stone, Not Trees by edem on Saturday June 17, 2017 @02:39PM (#14577111)
Thanks for answering this to me. This is what I have in mind basically. I'm also working on something like Dwarf Fortress but a "lite" version which is more accessible.