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Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by huhnmonster on Thursday December 24, 2020 @03:39PM (#25531203)
Not such a big deal and something rather subjective: Due to Covid, my university started to upload recordings of all of my courses. This has been a godsend for me, as I did not attend lectures previously and now have the chance to watch them only when needed.

Also, where before I often had to go to campus for 1.5hrs, which often meant sitting in train for equally long. Now, I can watch stuff from home and don't have to waste time travelling.

Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by tra3 on Thursday December 24, 2020 @05:39PM (#25532172)
Everyone said working from home is impossible, but it's been the best part of 2020. I dont see myself going back to the office (fulltime) ever.
Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by softwaredoug on Friday December 25, 2020 @03:45PM (#25538905)
Far less FOMO:

Way more content to hang out at home around a fire pit or do stuff around the house all weekend. Much less worry I’m missing X big event/trip/restaurant all my friends are going to.

Basically much less paradox of choice

Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by AnimalMuppet on Thursday December 24, 2020 @02:57PM (#25530872)
The election resulted in far less violence in the streets than I expected.
Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by axaxs on Thursday December 24, 2020 @05:44PM (#25532203)
Not to burst your bubble, but assuming you mean USA, it's not over yet. There's still a sizeable portion of people who honestly believe Trump won. I don't look forward to the next few weeks.
Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by AnimalMuppet on Thursday December 24, 2020 @08:41PM (#25533443)
I know it. And yet I wasn't looking forward to the last few weeks, and they were mostly benign.
Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by ekianjo on Friday December 25, 2020 @02:56AM (#25535000)
I don't think there will be any kind of meaningful violence either way. Nobody wants a civil war.
Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by AnimalMuppet on Friday December 25, 2020 @05:38PM (#25539601)
I think that there are people on at least one side, maybe both, who actually do want a literal civil war. I presume you don't actually mean nobody nobody, just "close enough" to nobody. And I sure hope you're right, but I fear that you many not be.
Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by shahbaby on Thursday December 24, 2020 @08:05PM (#25533234)
I'll also add my vote for wfh.

Everything is better at home. Home gym, home office, better mattress, etc.

I never realized just how much better it was until I tried it and now I don't ever want to go back.

Re:Ask HN: Looking Back, What Were the Best Unexpected Surpr... by brtkdotse on Friday December 25, 2020 @04:38AM (#25535402)
Me, my spouse and my kids have taken zero sick days since March. Not even sniffles.