News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Ask HN: How do you manage self-study? by rmtech on Sunday May 03, 2020 @07:07PM (#23062637)
on the other hand, if you enjoy goofing off playing video games more than you enjoy doing math courses & you act on that, then reality will find you a job at McDonald's instead of a coding job. So choose what you enjoy wisely.
Re:Ask HN: How do you manage self-study? by sirmarksalot on Sunday May 03, 2020 @07:58PM (#23062913)
For these kinds of purposes, I liken most video games to drugs, or junk food -- they're designed to appeal to some of our instincts without actually satisfying the needs those instincts are meant to address. They offer us novelty without meaningful discovery, challenge without development of a transferable skill. Do what interests you, with the caveat that if people have spent time and effort to create something that plays with your brain chemistry and creates the artificial sensation of "interest," then consume in moderation. The same applies to TV shows, trashy novels, and any other "content" that is meant to be consumed, rather than spur creativity.

Not meaning to judge anyone here. I'm mostly speaking from my own challenges. And obviously, I'm not talking about all games, TV shows, etc., either.

Re:Ask HN: How do you manage self-study? by kharak on Monday May 04, 2020 @03:01AM (#23065292)
You can do what you want, but not will what you want. Same with enjoyment. There is no choice here, only discovery.
Re:Ask HN: How do you manage self-study? by heisnotanalien on Monday May 04, 2020 @07:06AM (#23066585)
Funny because in my experience people are good at math tend to like playing games. At a certain level, every game is math after all.
Re:Ask HN: How do you manage self-study? by heisnotanalien on Monday May 04, 2020 @07:07AM (#23066590)
What you call goofing off playing video games others call research.