Ask HN: Your hobbies?
39 comments
Am I the only one who wants to call "bullshit" on some of these claims of having a hobby?
A hobby is something you can actually get better at. Watching TV is not a hobby.
A hobby is something to which you give sustained effort. Some people claim to be into cooking and have dinner parties, but if you do that less than twice a month I don't think that counts. I realize that many of us have been ruined by modern convenience living and the programmer lifestyle, so it is an effort to get a meal for four or more together. But cooking for other people is supposed to be normal; it's not hobby material.
And photography: everybody has a digital camera now. Get real. Unless you have gotten in a vehicle with equipment specifically for the purpose of photographing something and no other reason, you're not really a photographer.
I hesitate to call MMOs a hobby. They do meet the definition, but the physical experience -- sitting in front of a computer , collaborating with others in virtual spaces -- is very close to the sort of work most of us do for eight or more hours a day already. I think if you garden or do bicycle couriering, you're allowed to claim that MMOs are your hobby, but otherwise no.
Please understand that I'm not condemning anyone, but I think a lot of us are deluding ourselves. We don't want to admit how narrow we are, and how we really spend our leisure time. I'm willing to bet that programmed entertainments, like TV, movies, games, or pornography top the list of actual hours spent. It's sad, because at the age of 80, I don't think anyone's going to look back on their lives and say "DAMN! If only I had gotten through all my Galactica DVDs...." Maybe RescueTime should do something about this.
As for me: I used to have hobbies, but now I don't. It's a serious problem and I think it contributes to an ongoing low-level depression. I do read an enormous amount, but as stated above, this is not a hobby. It's a really bad situation. I think my hobby is dreaming up startups which, for visa and other reasons, I can't do much about.
A hobby is something you can actually get better at. Watching TV is not a hobby.
A hobby is something to which you give sustained effort. Some people claim to be into cooking and have dinner parties, but if you do that less than twice a month I don't think that counts. I realize that many of us have been ruined by modern convenience living and the programmer lifestyle, so it is an effort to get a meal for four or more together. But cooking for other people is supposed to be normal; it's not hobby material.
And photography: everybody has a digital camera now. Get real. Unless you have gotten in a vehicle with equipment specifically for the purpose of photographing something and no other reason, you're not really a photographer.
I hesitate to call MMOs a hobby. They do meet the definition, but the physical experience -- sitting in front of a computer , collaborating with others in virtual spaces -- is very close to the sort of work most of us do for eight or more hours a day already. I think if you garden or do bicycle couriering, you're allowed to claim that MMOs are your hobby, but otherwise no.
Please understand that I'm not condemning anyone, but I think a lot of us are deluding ourselves. We don't want to admit how narrow we are, and how we really spend our leisure time. I'm willing to bet that programmed entertainments, like TV, movies, games, or pornography top the list of actual hours spent. It's sad, because at the age of 80, I don't think anyone's going to look back on their lives and say "DAMN! If only I had gotten through all my Galactica DVDs...." Maybe RescueTime should do something about this.
As for me: I used to have hobbies, but now I don't. It's a serious problem and I think it contributes to an ongoing low-level depression. I do read an enormous amount, but as stated above, this is not a hobby. It's a really bad situation. I think my hobby is dreaming up startups which, for visa and other reasons, I can't do much about.
Wow, what a negative attitude - at the risk of getting modded down to hell, I figured I'd address some of your points. Please understand that while this might be a confrontational retort, it is in no way meant to be a flame.
A hobby is something you can actually get better at. Watching TV is not a hobby.
Actually, a hobby is defined as "an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation", so TV can be a hobby for some people. Also, people can get "better" at watching TV, by putting in more hours, watching multiple channels at once, larger screens etc...
A hobby is something to which you give sustained effort.
I dont believe that to be true, for example - I have one tabletop wargame on average every week, I'm a member of a club and it would take up maybe 3 hours of my total week? On the grand scale of things, its not an effort at all, yet in all sense of the word, is a hobby.
And photography: everybody has a digital camera now. Get real.
So? It doesn't mean that just because something is popular doesn't make it a hobby? By that reasoning, I would suggest that sport of all major forms are not hobbies, which we all know not to be the case. For the record, I don't own a camera either.
Please understand that I'm not condemning anyone, but I think a lot of us are deluding ourselves.
I actually think you're essentially condemning a lot of people in this thread, people are sharing parts of themselves so that others can learn a little about them, what their interests are - its an exercise in social networking of some kind.
You've essentially called a lot of people liars, which is never cool.
A hobby is something you can actually get better at. Watching TV is not a hobby.
Actually, a hobby is defined as "an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation", so TV can be a hobby for some people. Also, people can get "better" at watching TV, by putting in more hours, watching multiple channels at once, larger screens etc...
A hobby is something to which you give sustained effort.
I dont believe that to be true, for example - I have one tabletop wargame on average every week, I'm a member of a club and it would take up maybe 3 hours of my total week? On the grand scale of things, its not an effort at all, yet in all sense of the word, is a hobby.
And photography: everybody has a digital camera now. Get real.
So? It doesn't mean that just because something is popular doesn't make it a hobby? By that reasoning, I would suggest that sport of all major forms are not hobbies, which we all know not to be the case. For the record, I don't own a camera either.
Please understand that I'm not condemning anyone, but I think a lot of us are deluding ourselves.
I actually think you're essentially condemning a lot of people in this thread, people are sharing parts of themselves so that others can learn a little about them, what their interests are - its an exercise in social networking of some kind.
You've essentially called a lot of people liars, which is never cool.
No, not liars, but sometimes inattentive to this aspect of their lives? Wishful thinking?
If it's just me, I'll be happy to be wrong. But the irony here is that my day job involves helping people schedule their leisure activity. I've seen research on what people actually do with their time and it's freaking dismal. After college people fall into a rut of work/sleep/TV.
People say things like "dinner parties" because that's the last thing they remember doing, but if you probe a bit further, this event is usually months in the past.
By "sustained effort" I wanted to distinguish a hobby from mere pass-times like television watching. I think 3 hrs/week is plenty. And tabletop wargaming is an activity that at least exercises the imagination, so I wasn't really talking about people like yourself.
It could be argued that the idea of having a hobby is some outmoded bourgeois affectation, an imitation of the Victorian idle rich. So, neither do I want to impose the necessity of having a hobby on anyone else. But I do feel the lack of one in my own life.
If it's just me, I'll be happy to be wrong. But the irony here is that my day job involves helping people schedule their leisure activity. I've seen research on what people actually do with their time and it's freaking dismal. After college people fall into a rut of work/sleep/TV.
People say things like "dinner parties" because that's the last thing they remember doing, but if you probe a bit further, this event is usually months in the past.
By "sustained effort" I wanted to distinguish a hobby from mere pass-times like television watching. I think 3 hrs/week is plenty. And tabletop wargaming is an activity that at least exercises the imagination, so I wasn't really talking about people like yourself.
It could be argued that the idea of having a hobby is some outmoded bourgeois affectation, an imitation of the Victorian idle rich. So, neither do I want to impose the necessity of having a hobby on anyone else. But I do feel the lack of one in my own life.
I'm not sure I can agree with everything you said, but I definitely agree with your general point. Most of us spend our free time with passive entertainment, not real hobbies were deeply passionate about. I think it's because real hobbies tend to be more expensive, require more time, and more effort. Mindless entertainment has the upper hand on someone who already spends a great deal if their time working hard. It's the difference between fast food and a meal cooked from scratch.
1. Hacker News
2. Bridge (I wonder why more hackers don't play; it's the perfect game for us.)
3. Foosball
4. Boggle
5. Eating, drinking, & traveling with friends & family
6. The Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Drinking beer, preferably along with one of the 6 above
8. Fitness/diet (when I'm not doing #7 above)
2. Bridge (I wonder why more hackers don't play; it's the perfect game for us.)
3. Foosball
4. Boggle
5. Eating, drinking, & traveling with friends & family
6. The Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Drinking beer, preferably along with one of the 6 above
8. Fitness/diet (when I'm not doing #7 above)
2. Bridge
Replace with Poker for the younger hackers.
I know a lot of hackers that play Poker. I imagine it's dependent on age. It's en vogue for the 20 somethings to be a respectable poker player. I just don't know anyone in their teens - 30s that plays bridge. I'd love to give it a try.
Replace with Poker for the younger hackers.
I know a lot of hackers that play Poker. I imagine it's dependent on age. It's en vogue for the 20 somethings to be a respectable poker player. I just don't know anyone in their teens - 30s that plays bridge. I'd love to give it a try.
I imagine it's dependent on age.
I don't think so.
Poker is very popular now among all age groups.
Bridge is not very popular among anyone except maybe senior citizens.
I've played a lot of both and there is no comparison - 2 completely different games. I think bridge is much more consistent with hacker-like thinking. (Maybe I'll say why in another post some day.)
I'd love to give it a try.
Then do it!
If you have a hacker mind, i.e., you like puzzles, logic, and problem solving, and even want to take it a step higher by building your own "framework" to attack those problems, you'll probably love it. But beware, you may end up like me, a bridge fanatic without a partner because no one else plays much these days.
If you ever want to give it a try, contact me off-line and maybe we can play on-line sometime.
I don't think so.
Poker is very popular now among all age groups.
Bridge is not very popular among anyone except maybe senior citizens.
I've played a lot of both and there is no comparison - 2 completely different games. I think bridge is much more consistent with hacker-like thinking. (Maybe I'll say why in another post some day.)
I'd love to give it a try.
Then do it!
If you have a hacker mind, i.e., you like puzzles, logic, and problem solving, and even want to take it a step higher by building your own "framework" to attack those problems, you'll probably love it. But beware, you may end up like me, a bridge fanatic without a partner because no one else plays much these days.
If you ever want to give it a try, contact me off-line and maybe we can play on-line sometime.
Regarding 2 - ever tried Skat? A ridiculously complicated trick taking card game that goes well with moderate amounts of 7 in pubs (at least in Germany).
Glad you are a Hacker News fan, but the Steelers Suck.
I sometimes use an old gimmick to help me get started evaluating talent in areas where I do not have expertise.
I establish a baseline getting a candidate's own judgement on an established control. Then I use what I've learned from that to make my own judgements about other things.
For example, I may ask you to discuss the pros and cons of tables vs. css, or hash tables vs. 3rd normal form. Then, once I understand a little bit about how you think and judge, I approach subjects outside my domain.
Since you have just established a -180 degree baseline by explicitly stating a 100% falsehood ("the Steelers Suck"), I must now invert all of your answers to any future questions.
(I sure hope this discussion doesn't discourage you from voicing your opinion here at hacker news. Neither should the fact that the yc evaluation committee has added 2 new members: Jack Lambert and Mean Joe Greene.)
I establish a baseline getting a candidate's own judgement on an established control. Then I use what I've learned from that to make my own judgements about other things.
For example, I may ask you to discuss the pros and cons of tables vs. css, or hash tables vs. 3rd normal form. Then, once I understand a little bit about how you think and judge, I approach subjects outside my domain.
Since you have just established a -180 degree baseline by explicitly stating a 100% falsehood ("the Steelers Suck"), I must now invert all of your answers to any future questions.
(I sure hope this discussion doesn't discourage you from voicing your opinion here at hacker news. Neither should the fact that the yc evaluation committee has added 2 new members: Jack Lambert and Mean Joe Greene.)
Aside from programming and start-ups, right?
- Listening to college lectures on my i-Pod (variety of topics)
- Photography (especially HDR and low-light stuff)
- Muisc (keyboard, MIDI, synth)
- Blogging
- Traveling
- Reading
- Watching and participating in political discussions
- Hiking
- Listening to college lectures on my i-Pod (variety of topics)
- Photography (especially HDR and low-light stuff)
- Muisc (keyboard, MIDI, synth)
- Blogging
- Traveling
- Reading
- Watching and participating in political discussions
- Hiking
Are the college lectures available for the public? If so, where do you get them?
There are two. The first is an older series - can't seem to remember it off-hand. I'll repost when I get home this weekend.
The one I use all the time is the Teaching Company http://www.teach12.com
I bet I've gone through at least 15 of their courses so far. Maybe more. Great stuff -- in all kinds of topics. Right now I'm listening to a 36-hour philosophy of science course for my morning workouts and a 18-hour history of the reformation in Europe course for when I'm on airplanes.
I did their "Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition, 3rd Edition" last summer and had a blast. http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=470&...
But fair warning -- it takes an acquired taste. I found the first set difficult to listen to, since I had gotten so used to history channel/MTV type science. I like the lecture format much better now that I've grown accustomed to it.
Also -- I have the history of languages lecture DVDs which is in my to-do list. As you can see, I'm a fan.
The one I use all the time is the Teaching Company http://www.teach12.com
I bet I've gone through at least 15 of their courses so far. Maybe more. Great stuff -- in all kinds of topics. Right now I'm listening to a 36-hour philosophy of science course for my morning workouts and a 18-hour history of the reformation in Europe course for when I'm on airplanes.
I did their "Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition, 3rd Edition" last summer and had a blast. http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=470&...
But fair warning -- it takes an acquired taste. I found the first set difficult to listen to, since I had gotten so used to history channel/MTV type science. I like the lecture format much better now that I've grown accustomed to it.
Also -- I have the history of languages lecture DVDs which is in my to-do list. As you can see, I'm a fan.
I never realised that stuff like this was available, thanks for the link.
I have just ordered some stuff to give it a try while I'm on my exercise bike in the mornings.
I have just ordered some stuff to give it a try while I'm on my exercise bike in the mornings.
Also check out iTunes U as well, I have picked up some interesting videos from there (I also believe they are all free): http://www.apple.com/education/itunesu_mobilelearning/itunes...
- I play a bit of tabletop miniatures wargaming, I enjoy it more than chess as the games are generally less serious, yet more social
- I like to read - most often you can find me reading non-fiction books, currently reading "Dont Make Me Think" by Steve Krug
- I enjoy to BBQ and having friends over for a good meal.
- I code, I'm working on something currently that I'm considering applying to YC with (I'm unsure though) thats being built utilising the Django framework.
- I used to play mmo's a lot (generally the Everquest series) until I figured out how much time I spent on those games on average.... I no longer play mmos as a result.
- I like to read - most often you can find me reading non-fiction books, currently reading "Dont Make Me Think" by Steve Krug
- I enjoy to BBQ and having friends over for a good meal.
- I code, I'm working on something currently that I'm considering applying to YC with (I'm unsure though) thats being built utilising the Django framework.
- I used to play mmo's a lot (generally the Everquest series) until I figured out how much time I spent on those games on average.... I no longer play mmos as a result.
Hmmn, photography seems to be popular. I do food/travel photography:
http://joshwand.com/food/ (though I actually make some money on this, so don't know if it qualifies as a hobby)
Flight Simulation (X-Plane)
Cooking (I've taken up real BBQ lately)
Eating (see: http://lunchmapr.com (due for a big refactor))
Gardening
Learning Mandarin
http://joshwand.com/food/ (though I actually make some money on this, so don't know if it qualifies as a hobby)
Flight Simulation (X-Plane)
Cooking (I've taken up real BBQ lately)
Eating (see: http://lunchmapr.com (due for a big refactor))
Gardening
Learning Mandarin
Photography, mainly landscape (large format) and macro (digital) -- http://pbase.com/Tamerlin
(I do aspire to professional status as a fine art photographer)
Hiking -- goes well with the photography
Martial arts
Film making, specifically in special effects
As for the reasons, all of them give me more opportunity for intellectual challenge and creativity, and hiking and martial arts are also good for physical health.
Martial arts is also good for stress relief ;)
Hiking -- goes well with the photography
Martial arts
Film making, specifically in special effects
As for the reasons, all of them give me more opportunity for intellectual challenge and creativity, and hiking and martial arts are also good for physical health.
Martial arts is also good for stress relief ;)
Reading and Photography. I'm nowhere near cool enough to be a painter so I have to let the camera take care of the painting for me.
Unicycling, juggling: Very geeky and still impresses 'normal' people. In contrast to math - another hobby of mine.
Board games are nice as well.
Board games are nice as well.
1) hacking. i have a fulltime job that lets me play with projects on the side. both hardware and software stuff.
2) fencing. sport/olympic fencing. great sport, i like it, and i'm a national and occasional international level competitor.
3) martial arts. not the same as fencing. used to teach for a living, still like to learn.
4) gaming. i've enjoyed a MMORPG or FPS in my time.
2) fencing. sport/olympic fencing. great sport, i like it, and i'm a national and occasional international level competitor.
3) martial arts. not the same as fencing. used to teach for a living, still like to learn.
4) gaming. i've enjoyed a MMORPG or FPS in my time.
As a startup (with the little little amount of time):
1) Brewing Beer 2) Watching Arrested Development (or Battlestar Galactica) during dinner 3) Playing Rock Band, or sometimes jamming on musical instruments
Personally:
1) Any physical activity- something with achievement or competition is always nice, MMA is nice 2) Meeting new people 3) Reading about politics 4) Rarely blogging
1) Brewing Beer 2) Watching Arrested Development (or Battlestar Galactica) during dinner 3) Playing Rock Band, or sometimes jamming on musical instruments
Personally:
1) Any physical activity- something with achievement or competition is always nice, MMA is nice 2) Meeting new people 3) Reading about politics 4) Rarely blogging
Music: guitar, singing, beatboxing. Foreign languages. Origami.
1. Programming
2. Playing computer games
3. Bowling
4. Playing Piano
5. French!
6. Cycling
7. Travel
8. Exercise
9. Watching Movies - they have to be good though
i play badminton twice a week at my local badminton club. it's awesome. remember playing badminton in gym class? fun, right? go to your local club and watch a high level game. ask for some beginning pointers, how to hold the racket, etc. and give it a shot. you'll have fun i bet.
-Mountain Biking
-following the Startup Scene
-following the Cleveland Browns
-Going to the Beach
Swing dancing (lindy hop),
Playing the piano/keyboard,
Reading libertarian articles.
1. Programming
2. Leaning new (human) languages
3. Hiking
4. Philosophy and politics
5. Extended conversations with good friends about 1, 2 or 4
6. Gardening (a bit)
2. Leaning new (human) languages
3. Hiking
4. Philosophy and politics
5. Extended conversations with good friends about 1, 2 or 4
6. Gardening (a bit)
1. Coding (it's a hobby too!)
2. Music (piano/keyboard/vocal)
3. Arguing (politics/economics)
4. Reading (to support #3)
2. Music (piano/keyboard/vocal)
3. Arguing (politics/economics)
4. Reading (to support #3)
1. Travel & Photography
2. Astronomy (I have a small telescope)
3. Birdwatching
2. Astronomy (I have a small telescope)
3. Birdwatching
Reading, traveling, zazen, going out and sports
Board games, computer games, sci-fi.
Geek stuff :-)
Geek stuff :-)
fulltime: medical student, husband, dad
parttime:
- learning the deep magic
- the community projects where I practice what little neophyte magic I know
- cycling
- photography
parttime:
- learning the deep magic
- the community projects where I practice what little neophyte magic I know
- cycling
- photography
1. Cycling
2. Tennis
3. Chess
1. Miniature Wargaming
2. Reading
3. Playing the Piano
4. Traveling
5. Trekking
2. Reading
3. Playing the Piano
4. Traveling
5. Trekking
I'm trying to understand the perspective of other commenters on HN and the best way I guess would be to learn a little about others by what their interests are - maybe also add in what it is about your chosen hobby that you find enjoyable?
So please share.