Comment by deerpig | Hacker News Reader

Comment by deerpig | Hacker News Reader

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I disagree, perseverance is not the same as goal-seeking for goal seeking's sake, or at least, it doesn't have to be.

Twenty years ago I set a thirty year goal, literally bet my life on it. It wasn't until two years ago that I was reasonably sure it had a chance of success. I had to, and continue to basically give up everything, no one funds very long term research, so I had to learn to live on less than $200 a month. No healthcare, not being able to buy a new pair of glasses, only being able to buy clothes once a year or so. But I found a university who believed in my work, gave me an office and a flat on campus outside of Phnom Penh and the freedom to follow the project wherever it went. No salary, but it's been enough.

Perseverance is what keeps you sane, gets you up in the morning. It gets you through whatever is thrown at you. I have not had a happy or easy life, but it has been a life full of purpose. I have seen and done things that most people couldn't imagine, that has been, many times, too weird to be believable even as fiction.

Perseverance is a skill you practice every day for the rest of your life. But there are many small compensations. You find kindness and beauty and from time to time pleasure in unexpected places along the way.

With the university's help we will go to press with the first volume later this year, with a volume every year or so until it's finished on or about 2030. No one would willingly choose such a life, you fall into such things, and I was one of the stupid one's who took on such a ridiculously ambitious challenge. With a little luck I will live to see it through to the end.

So for some, purpose and perseverance, trump happiness and comfort and security. Though I admit I am likely and edge case.

I must say though, my wife and I sure as shit would like to live on a little more than $200 a month. :)

I think this is a definitional disagreement. If what you mean by perseverance is the skill you practice to keep yourself going (while overall aligned in the general direction), then yes, I am all for it. But often goal-seeking for goal-seeking’s sake is somewhat coerced on others in the name of virtue, perseverance, etc. The old advice of “do something, don’t just stand there” is the example I am talking about.

But if you have found what you want to do and have set a reasonably long goal (30 years is dedication), then yes humans are imperfect and there will be bits and pieces of motivation still missing. But not many are fortunate to have this goal arising from within.

I like the “shower thoughts” test. Are your goals what you think about in the shower? If yes, then that is probably what you want.

Other story in the same line is “if you are trying to start a startup and you get discouraged by someone and consider not, you probably weren’t meant to do it in the first place.” (Peter Graham I think)

You really can’t not have desires. You can have desires that you don’t want or invisible/preconscious desires, but strictly speaking a person can’t be more desirous (or, loosely, more passionate) than another. It’s like saying a piece of AI is half-invested into its utility function, it just doesn’t work like that.

> I have seen and done things that most people couldn't imagine, that has been, many times, too weird to be believable even as fiction.

What? I'm really curious now. What is the project? What was the goal? Don't leave us hanging!

Curious too. 30 years project with one printed volume a years looks like an encyclopedia.

@deerpig you could set up a Patreon or some sort of crowd funding. If a few people interested in your project give you few bucks here and there, it could have a big impact on your income.

I did some digging. He's the founder of the Chenla Institute, Center for Distributed Civilization. Also launching/launched Chenla FabLab.

His comment history suggests he's old-school, been around the block (China, Japan, Cambodia), has done work for SGI, and has an "Infinite Reality" machine at work (which is described as a "graphics supercomputer").

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InfiniteReality

Can you share details on what you're working on? Or where we can follow the upcoming announcements about your work?

Also, better persevering in your own mania.. at least the wound is self inflicted. When you have to persevere for what society considers important, if that leads to nothing the grief is heavy.

Why did you set this goal? Could you have picked any random 30 year goal and been as happy or was this something that naturally spoke to you? Are you still excited by it?

you can live on more than $200 a month. give back and receive bro, it's really easy. come to my nidhogg tournament and i'll give you the game.

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