If experience is the goal, then you always win

jger15 74 points 9 comments August 09, 2026
www.startingfromnix.com · View on Hacker News

Discussion Highlights (5 comments)

wxw

> More broadly I’ve observed that as you grow older and gain experience in any domain, you’re rewarded for staying in your circle of competence and deepening the gyre. You don’t charm anyone by constant pivots, lest you seem unserious, un-devoted. Yea I feel that. Really enjoyed this essay. I feel like “you can just do things” is so true yet has been twisted into a hustle-culture/opportunity-vulture phrase, and this piece is a much healthier way to view agency.

CPLX

If you’re of a certain age this article headline should immediately make you think of this website: https://despair.com/products/mistakes And if that doesn’t resonate with you then you probably missed the era when these things were ubiquitous in corporate decor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Successories https://www.successories.com/motivational-posters/1

acidhousemcnab

Yes, I prescribe to this, but if you've experienced technologically-augmented attempts at "suiciding", sustained Zersetzung, and a peculiar British invention which is to be "Black-Mirrored", after whistleblowing, then it must be balanced with PTSD, trying not to become an alcoholic, and still trying to sound the alarm about the hell world which exists, is growing, and soon to take over fully.

lnenad

It's a great mindset to have, *if* you're able to control your emotions.

gumby

I have lived my life this way and I’m surprised more don’t. I gave a talk every year to MBA students and inevitably most of them seem confused by my work history. They are missing out!

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