Ask HN: What are you planning to unlearn in 2021?
some habit/skill you thought was a great idea to put time and energy, but hasn't quite given you the outcomes that you wanted. Why do you think it didn't work out?
31 comments
I'm sure this will come off different than what is intended.
I donate to charity a lot. I'm not looking for anything in return. I'm not trying to be known as someone who gives to the great cause. I do what I have to do because it should be that way -- if everyone gave a little bit, and for my case, I tend to favor charities that help terminally ill children, veterans, or shelter animals - it makes a difference to those who need it. In fact, any time my friends on Facebook or anywhere has a charity for their birthday or something, I often donate for the good of the cause. I donate at least a dozen times a year, usually around $25 each time, so we'll say that I donate around $300 a year.
In 2020, I donated nearly $2,000 to various causes... and I did want to donate and I don't have any regrets or anything for donating, but I realize that donating so much -- I went into a bit of debt not realizing it, and like I said, I'm not looking for anything in return -- however: when I've ran my own charities or asked for help, I realize that the people I expected to help me... did not lift a finger to help. Fortunately, there were others who stepped in their place and helped. But the ones I thought I could count on... weren't there for me. While I probably will return back to my normal charitable giving, I overexerted myself last year and am paying a price for it.
So I'll likely be taking a break from donating large quantities to any organization this year. And no, this isn't an invitation to ask me for charity. I just realize that one man, me, can only do so much. And while you can help others out... I suppose the lesson to learn or unlearn there is: there are some unsung heroes in this world that make things happen.. and its great to appreciate them, but realize that not everyone, who you think is close to you and has your back, is going to help you, or even have your back.
I donate to charity a lot. I'm not looking for anything in return. I'm not trying to be known as someone who gives to the great cause. I do what I have to do because it should be that way -- if everyone gave a little bit, and for my case, I tend to favor charities that help terminally ill children, veterans, or shelter animals - it makes a difference to those who need it. In fact, any time my friends on Facebook or anywhere has a charity for their birthday or something, I often donate for the good of the cause. I donate at least a dozen times a year, usually around $25 each time, so we'll say that I donate around $300 a year.
In 2020, I donated nearly $2,000 to various causes... and I did want to donate and I don't have any regrets or anything for donating, but I realize that donating so much -- I went into a bit of debt not realizing it, and like I said, I'm not looking for anything in return -- however: when I've ran my own charities or asked for help, I realize that the people I expected to help me... did not lift a finger to help. Fortunately, there were others who stepped in their place and helped. But the ones I thought I could count on... weren't there for me. While I probably will return back to my normal charitable giving, I overexerted myself last year and am paying a price for it.
So I'll likely be taking a break from donating large quantities to any organization this year. And no, this isn't an invitation to ask me for charity. I just realize that one man, me, can only do so much. And while you can help others out... I suppose the lesson to learn or unlearn there is: there are some unsung heroes in this world that make things happen.. and its great to appreciate them, but realize that not everyone, who you think is close to you and has your back, is going to help you, or even have your back.
Thanks for an insightful post. I got a lot from it.
Thanks for sharing your experience
To unlearn this year: reading too much and too fast, without taking notes.
I am a very regular Hacker News reader, visit here almost daily and find lots of interesting reading. However if you ask me today what did I learn in the last year, my answer will barely scratch the surface of everything I have read. Effectively, it means that the time I have spent reading was merely spent on a diversion, not learning. I still hope that everything I have read is somehow absorbed in my unconsciousness, but being honest with myself I understand that should I have taken at least a few notes, and should I have reviewed those notes at least once or twice during the year, I would have probably learnt much more.
Tangentially: unlearn to read mostly blogs and learn to start more books; unlearn to be only motivated by doing things and spend more time learning new things; unlearn to pile up open tabs with "things to read later because I don't have enough focus for it now" (and I don't know how to solve the latter yet).
A single blog post (oh the irony...) that acted as a catalyst for the thinking process that lead me to this decision: https://maartenvandoorn.nl/reading-guide (It was previously shared somewhere on the HN by the way).
I am a very regular Hacker News reader, visit here almost daily and find lots of interesting reading. However if you ask me today what did I learn in the last year, my answer will barely scratch the surface of everything I have read. Effectively, it means that the time I have spent reading was merely spent on a diversion, not learning. I still hope that everything I have read is somehow absorbed in my unconsciousness, but being honest with myself I understand that should I have taken at least a few notes, and should I have reviewed those notes at least once or twice during the year, I would have probably learnt much more.
Tangentially: unlearn to read mostly blogs and learn to start more books; unlearn to be only motivated by doing things and spend more time learning new things; unlearn to pile up open tabs with "things to read later because I don't have enough focus for it now" (and I don't know how to solve the latter yet).
A single blog post (oh the irony...) that acted as a catalyst for the thinking process that lead me to this decision: https://maartenvandoorn.nl/reading-guide (It was previously shared somewhere on the HN by the way).
I can relate to this. Thanks for sharing the blog post
I have made the decision to take daily notes, almost like a diary, in the hopes that I can look back on the past and have a full history of things that I read, learnt, took in etc.
Like version control for your brain :) (except without the merge conflicts ... hopefully)
Like version control for your brain :) (except without the merge conflicts ... hopefully)
I think we greatly underestimate what we learn. If we had a conversation that touched on the subject of a book you read 6 months ago you would be surprised how you can recall something from the book. Reading for diversion is the best - both relaxing and passive learning.
Two months ago I woke up with tight fingers/hands, feeling really weird in my arms as well, that gradually pulsed between discomfort/numbness/pain in the arm/forearm/hand/fingers.
It scared the shit out of me, and when I looked at the mirror I was all twisted with a shoulder forward and pushed up, the other shoulder was lowered, and my back was bent forward and tilted to the side of the downward shoulder.
I couldn't lift my left arm without pain because my shoulder blade was coming outwards.
It was a fucking mess. I was baffled how did I get into that? Did I develop some neurological problem? Did I hurt myself during sleep and damaged something? Nah...
...it was all because of years of poor posture and sitting for hours in front of the PC.
So I'm committed to unlearn the bad sitting/posture habits that I've acquired for more than a decade. It's not just about standing desks/ergonomic chairs, we need to move regularly, rest in different positions other than sitting, and develop the strength required to keep a good posture.
It scared the shit out of me, and when I looked at the mirror I was all twisted with a shoulder forward and pushed up, the other shoulder was lowered, and my back was bent forward and tilted to the side of the downward shoulder.
I couldn't lift my left arm without pain because my shoulder blade was coming outwards.
It was a fucking mess. I was baffled how did I get into that? Did I develop some neurological problem? Did I hurt myself during sleep and damaged something? Nah...
...it was all because of years of poor posture and sitting for hours in front of the PC.
So I'm committed to unlearn the bad sitting/posture habits that I've acquired for more than a decade. It's not just about standing desks/ergonomic chairs, we need to move regularly, rest in different positions other than sitting, and develop the strength required to keep a good posture.
Wonder if anyone has tried the posture corrector belts available on amazon. They look uncomfortable
From my research posture correctors aren't good solutions, because they will make be doing the work of your muscles, rendering your muscles weaker - specially concerning on muscles that are already at fault for being weak.
They could be worn for short periods of time, at max like 15 minutes.
You need to strengthen your back and shoulders, stretch muscles that make you curl forward, and you need to be patient... I was very frustrated in the first weeks trying to correct my posture because I wasn't seeing much results, but it just takes time.
Like you're trying to undo years of bad posture in few days it's impossible, your muscles need to gain strength, they also need to rest, and you will need to learn to do proper movements with the new acquired strength and muscle activation.
So I don't think posture corrector doesn't cut it, I'm sure they're very useful in specific situations, but for the majority of people you just need strength and stretching.
They could be worn for short periods of time, at max like 15 minutes.
You need to strengthen your back and shoulders, stretch muscles that make you curl forward, and you need to be patient... I was very frustrated in the first weeks trying to correct my posture because I wasn't seeing much results, but it just takes time.
Like you're trying to undo years of bad posture in few days it's impossible, your muscles need to gain strength, they also need to rest, and you will need to learn to do proper movements with the new acquired strength and muscle activation.
So I don't think posture corrector doesn't cut it, I'm sure they're very useful in specific situations, but for the majority of people you just need strength and stretching.
Just got a split keyboard, so mainly trying to unlearn bad typing habits :)
Wow that's really cool how far they have taken it. I always thought they just need a keyboard with 10 keys, but that might be a bit difficult to learn. Now I am thinking it might be worth building, just for the fun of it.
What did you get? What do you recommend?
I'd have to relearn typing, since i have terrible typing habits. Though, the idea is curious for me.
I'd have to relearn typing, since i have terrible typing habits. Though, the idea is curious for me.
I went all out crazy and got a Moonlander[1]. I love it. It took maybe a week or two of daily usage (an hour or so - writing code and doing the training exercises that they recommend via their online tool) for me to get back to feeling comfortable using it.
I feel like I could type nonstop for hours without my wrists or back getting sore. Having the ability to configure absolutely everything also really boosts productivity. I do a lot of Python development so I've got shortcut keys to run the linting tools, auto-formatting etc. in Pycharm.
However I had serious buyer's remorse once I started using it; I felt like I had to start typing all over again and it's a bit of an investment to get productive again. I guess like trying a new IDE.
[1] https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/
I feel like I could type nonstop for hours without my wrists or back getting sore. Having the ability to configure absolutely everything also really boosts productivity. I do a lot of Python development so I've got shortcut keys to run the linting tools, auto-formatting etc. in Pycharm.
However I had serious buyer's remorse once I started using it; I felt like I had to start typing all over again and it's a bit of an investment to get productive again. I guess like trying a new IDE.
[1] https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/
Oh boy, i was looking into that earlier. I'm terrified that i won't be able to learn it, since i have abysmal typing habits. Frankly i've never enjoyed using my non-dominant fingers.
Nevertheless i get a lot of tension in my shoulders when programming for hours on end. The moonlander is seriously tempting.
Nevertheless i get a lot of tension in my shoulders when programming for hours on end. The moonlander is seriously tempting.
For a split that isn’t too wild, try an Alice layout from Switchcouture. I’ve been using one for about 6 months and it’s amazing. Else try Kyria from splitkb. Had that for about 4 months and it’s so nice to type on. For one with numbers, you can get a Lily58.
It took me about a month to get up to speed on the Kyria but just a few days on the Alice.
It took me about a month to get up to speed on the Kyria but just a few days on the Alice.
Cool ! never heard of those until you mentioned. why is regular keyboard bad?
Not that regular keyboards are bad necessarily, but given I spend many hours in a day typing in a position that isn't exactly great on my posture or wrists I figured it might be time to make an investment for my future self (mainly just for good ergonomics)
This will help understand that a lot...
https://youtu.be/SkNGxM4LRKQ
https://youtu.be/SkNGxM4LRKQ
Biting my nails. It's been a stress response since I was a child and I'm sick of it.
Also, tunnel vision. If work becomes stressful, I find myself only able to focus on work, even outside of work hours. I have made it my goal to be more mindful of my stress levels, but also to make sure I don't forget about my responsibilities in my life.
Also, tunnel vision. If work becomes stressful, I find myself only able to focus on work, even outside of work hours. I have made it my goal to be more mindful of my stress levels, but also to make sure I don't forget about my responsibilities in my life.
Almost 40 and never unlearned this. Not sure I ever will, but it's nice to aspire to it.
What's your plan regarding nail biting?
drupal. it is horrible.
Why? and what alternative are you picking up?
I’ve found it to be extremely complex and unintuitive, but I haven’t tried the alternatives.
I once got fired for printing out and posting a jackie chan meme about drupal on my cubicle. Everyone thought it was funny as shit except for my boss.
> Everyone thought it was funny as shit except for my boss.
What a petty child. But there must've been more that cause your termination.
What a petty child. But there must've been more that cause your termination.
Javascript
Haha. Wonder if there are people who got drawn in to the ML/AI hype, got disillusioned somehow and now going back to traditional software development
Efficiency. The quest for it is a form of procrastination.