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A comment on Ask HN: I feel so shallow and dumb when I see what other smart people are doing. Parent comment

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.
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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.
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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
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