Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other smart people are doing

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by sanderjd on Friday November 19, 2021 @05:46PM (#29283605)

This gets at the crux of my angst along the OP's line: When I look at people who have dedicated themselves to that thing that they pored so many hours into, what I always wonder is, "How did they make the decision to put so much of their time into that thing." Like, I agree with OP that the Roller Coaster Tycoon one man project is really impressive. But there's no world in which I could possibly care enough about building a roller coaster video game to put that time in. And besides a precious few things that are ludicrously hard to break into - contributing to cancer research, working on nuclear fusion, space travel, etc. - it's hard for me to imagine pouring my soul into things that require so much commitment.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by wakamoleguy on Friday November 19, 2021 @06:01PM (#29283712)

And that’s ok! I am happier with my current life of balance than I ever would be with that level of singular focus. The hard part is not comparing yourself to people who have made those choices differently than you. I often find myself saying things to myself like “Sure, if I put that time in, maybe I could be like that. But I choose not to, because that is not important to me.”

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by dvh1990 on Friday November 19, 2021 @06:22PM (#29283887)

Well how can you find something you like without giving it a serious try first?

I've been playing guitar for 16 years. I'm not pro-level, but I'm as good as I want to be and I love it. Did I love it from the get go? Hell no. I actually hated guitar for the entire first year of practice, but I stuck with it and as I got better I eventually developed a deep love for it.

Trying new things, REALLY trying for long enough to actually get somewhere, is a risk. Question is, are you willing to take such a risk? Or would you rather do the alternative which is sitting and waiting until something compelling falls in your lap?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by sanderjd on Friday November 19, 2021 @10:16PM (#29285258)

That's the thing though, the number of things to try is unlimited, there is a large opportunity cost to really trying pretty much anything, and it's not at all clear a priori which things will be worth it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by circlemaker on Saturday November 20, 2021 @05:19AM (#29286852)

There is an even greater opportunity cost while you're not trying anything. Even if you don't end up liking the thing you're trying, at least your life has more breadth and depth than it did before.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by ddingus on Saturday November 20, 2021 @05:15AM (#29286843)

People tend to find use for those skills / things attempted.

That opportunity cost is much lower than we all might think.

If it is interesting, that right there is often reason to try it.

Also, things connect in surprising ways.

The real opportunity cost lies in not doing.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by gamechangr on Saturday November 20, 2021 @09:32PM (#29293669)

You know the saying..

People say that they "don't want to invest a decade in something", but fail to grasp that they are invested a decade in something (perhaps watching youtube) -- regardless if they decide to focus it or not.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by dvh1990 on Saturday November 20, 2021 @05:05AM (#29286811)

You're right, you can't try everything. But you could try n things in life, if you're willing to risk picking the "wrong" thing for a while.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other ... by testmasterflex on Saturday November 20, 2021 @02:49AM (#29286345)

Go after your interest

[ Parent | on HN ]