Ask HN: How do you renew your interest in technology?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31169876

by xthestreams • 4 years ago

5 9 4 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Like most of us here, I've absolutely loved programming since I was a kid. And I did programming. A lot. A couple of years ago I joined a PhD program in AI. I liked the science, but I dropped out after realizing I didn't really like working that way.

Current status: I feel I completely lost any interest in any kind of tech. Programming lost its magic. I can't stand the people considering their tech-related opinions as facts. I can't stand the childish "here's why I don't like tech X" articles (I guess I'm doing the same?). I can't stand self-proclaimed "experts" of the next js framework which will disappear in 2 years. Seems pointless.

So how do you renew your interest in tech?

meristohm• 4 years ago

Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of technology: 1a: the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area 1b: a capability given by the practical application of knowledge 2: a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge 3: the specialized aspects of a particular field or endeavor

It sounds like you're referring to technology involving computers.

First, it's okay to feel what you're feeling (as if you need permission to have emotions, but I find it helpful to remind myself, so I'll risk it). It's also okay to change, to let go of the need to renew interest in computer-related technology, and do something different. This could be a roundabout way to get back into it; perhaps after a break ("and now for something completely different" - Monty Python) to clear your mind and emotional attachments you'll see a new way in?

If this is about maintaining income, that adds some stress. Ideally we work on things that align with our values (my most rewarding work has been in education at small schools that give the teachers reasonable creative control, and now as a stay-at-home dad). What do you care about?

If you're feeling lost story-wise, I recommend reconnecting with the land. I've found it meaningful to work towards replacing the lawn with prairie plants and trees that have a long history of growing in this region, along with growing more food in the garden. Increasing the biodiversity in the soil leads to more birds and small mammals; observing other life seems healthy for a young child, and I find it enjoyable. I'm practically-applying knowledge I've gained from mentors (in-person and from books, podcasts, video). At a minimum, growing a few plants indoors is a start.

I this helps. Good luck!

xthestreams• 4 years ago

Thanks for taking the time to write this - it really gave me new ways of thinking about it :)

breckenedge• 4 years ago

Sounds like you’re having a lot of really tiring conversations lately about things that you don’t care about. Maybe find something else to talk about and consider having conversations with other people.

formerkrogemp• 4 years ago

Find something interesting. Apply your skills to a side project. Take a break? Change jobs? There's always a new mole hill to examine or mountain to climb. Try teaching someone new programming. I know some of my friends have rediscovered that spark of wonder by seeing it through a newcomer's eyes via teaching a layperson or child.

_benj• 4 years ago

I was thinking about the same recently…

The solution I came up with was to do something that would have nothing to do with what I do professionally. So I decided to learn LISP (Janet in particular), improve the tool I use to manage my finances with language and whatever else comes.

So far I’ve been having tons of fun tweaking lite-xl editor to work exactly the way I want it to with that language, and I haven’t even started the toy project I set out to build to begin with!

IMHO it has to do with intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, and anything that can improve my career, land me a new job or anything along those lines turn into “work” and without $$ to give it meaning I find no interest in it. Thus LISP, obscure languages and text editors!

Edit: I might end up using it in haiku, react or serenity OS for the same reason :)

logicalmonster• 4 years ago

Are you currently working? Are you currently working within a big or small company? Do you have good or bad bosses?

IMO, a big chunk of life frustration here can often just be developers working on dumb projects, with bad bosses, surrounded by bad process.

Everybody would feel like crap if they had dumb managers riding their ass trying to crack the whip with short deadlines, working on bad projects with not much real benefit to humanity, etc.

One solution might be just trying to find a good workplace: even if you have to take a little paycut to work on something more meaningful to you.

leros• 4 years ago

I'm not sure it's a problem. I've mostly lost my interest in technology quite a bit too. I now merely see tech as a tool and not an exciting obsession.

I'm excited about other things now. Exercise. Camping. Travel. Gardening. Cooking. Woodworking.

Tech can improve those things, but tech in itself is not super interesting.

mikewarot• 4 years ago

You've seen through the fashion trends in programming, welcome to the club.

I myself have been listening to Uncle Bob Martin on loop while I wait to be able to see normally again. He's got a lot of advice about making systems that you won't be afraid to change, and thus can make rapid progress with. He also hates fashion trends.

Parker_Powell• 4 years ago

So you're feeling a little burnt out on tech. We get it. It's hard to stay excited about the same thing for such a long time. And tech is always changing, so it can be hard to keep up with what's new and cool.

Here are a few things you can do to renew your interest:

- Read non-tech books and articles, and watch movies with no connection to technology—by taking breaks from tech, you help yourself remember why you were interested in it in the first place.

- Explore different kinds of technology—from augmented reality to virtual reality to artificial intelligence, there are so many different ways that tech impacts our lives today. By exploring different kinds of technology, you help yourself understand what part of tech inspires you the most.

- Teach other people about technology—it's one of the best ways to learn! By teaching others about how tech works and how it can benefit them in their daily lives, you'll find that your knowledge deepens as well.

Ask HN: How do you renew your interest in technology?

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