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Comment by throwawayboise | Hacker News Reader

I think there are some (perhaps many) people who just don't have this level of passion in themselves.

When I was younger, I liked working in software. It was fun, and interesting, but did I "love" it? Honestly I don't think so.

Looking back on my time as a student, I can't think of any subject that I loved so much that that studying was something I wanted to do. It was always a chore, always something I did because it was a means to getting to a point in life where I didn't have to do it anymore.

Now, at halfway through my 50s, I would not be able to answer the standard interview question "what are you passionate about?" Nothing comes to mind. Everything I do day-to-day is either stuff that I need to do to pay the bills and support my family, or is in some way procrastinating on stuff that isn't yet so urgent that I have to do it.

I think people like Feynman are born with a burning passion for learning that most people just don't have.

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> Everything I do day-to-day is either stuff that I need to do to pay the bills and support my family

That's the universal trap.

> people like Feynman are born with a burning passion for learning that most people just don't have.

I am not sure about that. I'd say most people lose sight of their true passion. Mine happened to be programming, which now helps me pay my bills. But I'd be screwed if my true passion was drawing...

Wait, I used to love drawing, until I took drawing "lessons".

> Now, at halfway through my 50s, I would not be able to answer the standard interview question "what are you passionate about?"

I once heard this logic which did guide me a lot : if you were older (say 80), what would yo regret not having even tried ? If you haven't even tried, let's try.

> if you were older (say 80), what would yo regret not having even tried ?

I would imagine it would be the same answer as today: nothing comes to mind. I honestly cannot think of anything that I regret never trying. I mean, it seems almost tautological. If I had that much of a drive and/or passion for something, I would have tried it or be doing it.

isn't it usually the opposite. You try it and then develop a passion for it. Not other way around.

> That's the universal trap.

What do you mean by 'trap'. Its something people have to do no?

The belief that it is something you have to do is how the trap works.

I believe that all children are born with a burning passion for learning. Some then have it beaten out of them by a slow, routine, inhuman education system that crushes individual creativity.

I try to make up for it with my own children by sending them to regular school, but then encouraging them to self-teach the things that interest them.

I'm sorry that you are unsatisfied in your work. Perhaps if it were economically viable, a long sabbatical would allow you to find more meaning in your life and perhaps a new career. I wish we could all do that when nescessary.

> Some then have it beaten out of them by a slow, routine, inhuman education system that crushes individual creativity.

...created by/for those who are trying to get it, not by those who did.

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