I second this. Being a farmer with a huge interest in electronics and programming, I don't get to hang around like-minded people (generally, I barely to get to hang with people that have a decent grasp of their mother tongue, thus I just work and listen to podcasts and some audiobooks).
The hn comment section and some of the blogs I read here make the tech world something tangible, rather than something only happening in some far away land.
Congrats Giulio!
Incredibly, things are changing even in Italy.
I find saddening that the majority of the youth is either stuck in dead end jobs or in lowly-paying slightly career-related jobs.
I try to push anyone I meet under 30 to just leave the country. The only other option is to embrace entrepreneurship, even though it requires one to grow a thick skin, stomach and an indestructible carapace.
I might be wrong trying to de-populate a country of old farts, but everyone has the right to strive for the life they want to lead, or at least get to choose a job/career.
One last note of folklore - I find Italian politics amusing: both left and right have been focusing on civil rights debate, without a grand scheme but rather a day-to-day routine of putting out fires as they come along (the motto being 'just kick the can down the road').
We need leaders with a vision, not social media influencers that follow behind whatever is trending on social media this week (aka the flavour of the week).
Once again, congratulations! :)
Sorry for hijacking the celebrations with a rant.