What is something like a hobby or skill that you belive almost anybody should give a try, and what makes your suggestion so good compared to other things?
i feel like this is a descent question i guess.
Biking.
Moving under your own power has so many benefits:
- It’s fun
- It’s cheap (or can be, to be fair)
- It’s good for your health
- It’s good for the planet
It’s fun
My knees disagree but each to their own ;)
epic!
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This actually got me working in the IT.
ive been wanting to get into game dev but it seems like alot of work and i suck at everything, also im limted with software and im not even sure what game engine or thing to use, if that makes sense. do you hav eany advice or something you want to share?
Python with PyGame can be quite a good start. And if you’re just trying to build something for fun maybe use free assets from the internet.
Taught myself python at 50 years of age. My God, being able to code is like a superpower. I started out doing some things to make my job easier, later developed an interest in web scraping and data analysis, now I am tinkering with machine learning. I regret listening to people who told me that a strong background in math is required for coding.
Ditto. Like, I picked it up on the job, but I use it in my daily life all the time. I really like writing dumb little home automation shell scripts to turn lights off/on based on more specific conditions. I was also able to easily snipe an OG ergodox off of /r/mechmarket with praw back when those were all the rage. It’s fun, and the rush you get when you finally solve a tough problem is hard to beat.
3D printing. Suddenly you are able to fix small plastic shit in your house which would otherwise mean throwing out the whole goddamn thing. Best feeling ever to repair and save stuff.
i wish i could 3d print board games and such but printers are so pricey.
I’ve heard good things about Ender 3 printers and their clones if you’re willing to tinker. AFAIK, the experience right out of the box isn’t great, but they can be modded and upgraded over time and can be fairly capable.
That being said, those might still be too expensive depending on your geo. I seem to recall reading about reprap projects designed to be built as cheaply as possible using harvested components from things like old scanners and shit.
You might want to check out laser cutting. Same prize range and so much faster for board games. (basically works like a 2D lasercutter, most commonly used with wood or plexi glass).
Two things: chess and piano. I downloaded the chess.com app and play whenever I’m idling for more than a few minutes. Got to a very proficient respectable level in a few months, and it’s a ton of fun, endless combinations, no upper limit to how good you can get.
I also bought a cheap keyboard for under $300 and got proficient at it within a few months. Half hour here, twenty minutes there, an hour there. I’m not Chopin or anything and I can barely even play him but again, respectable.
So now if you ever go somewhere and see a chess set or a piano you can be like hey I know what to do with that!
Chopin does have pieces that aren’t too bad, though of course few if any for beginners.
I’ve had no formal piano training (and my main instrument is guitar) yet can play several pretty well. Nocturne Op 9 No 2 for example is both beautiful and not too difficult.Valse Op. 69 No 2 is harder but still doable.
Waltz Op 64 No 2 is probably harder still but with practice not as bad as it looks – but it is likely the most difficult piece that I can play without skipping any parts. Really fun to play since it’s at my edge at my ability and it feels amazing to pull it off when I feel it should be much too hard to my skill level.
Thinking of learning sign language…
that would be useful.
Skill wise, though I believe this would apply to many here already, analyzing and critical thinking in regard to use of technology.
For instance, checking which apps and extensions you use on your devices and see if you need them. Likewise, look thoroughly when trying or testing software to prevent you from being part of a malicious extension campaign. Check which apps are connected to your SSO (single sign on) accounts like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, etc.; doing this regularly especially if you’re one to try new apps and software, ensures that once you no longer use them, they can’t keep getting your data.
Critical thinking in regard to questioning if a company, person, or app is social engineering you in attempt for money or control your choices. Think Facebook with when you’re deleting an account, it’s showing the profile pics of people you talk to most and telling you “these friends will miss you” in an attempt to guilt-trip you not to using it. Same thing with software like VPNs or any security software telling you that you’re not safe without their software or a service trying to get you back by emailing you saying they miss you and trying to sway you to spend more money with coupons, marketing emails, etc.
Crochet
Pros
- Documented mental health benefits
- Cheap to start, can learn from online tutorials
- Easier than knitting
- Make cool toys, clothes, home accessories, whatever you want
- Get to smush yarn into your face on a regular basis
Cons
- Fibre crafts gateway drug
Running. Fairly cheap. Can set your own schedule. Improves physical and mental health, increases self confidence, can help with sleep and weight loss.
Some form of metal working, and specifically machining. I really enjoy machining, and I’ve been able to make some genuinely useful things. The tools are actually really quiet and stateful, unlike woodworking power tools which SCREAM at you like horrible demons. Seeing people look at their first top, or pen, or miniature cannon is great. Plus, things made in metal are at least slightly shiny.
For example, you could make dumbbell handles and plates like this: a photo of dumbbell handles and weight plates
Or a metal yarn winder like this: a photo of an all-metal yarn winder
The major downside is that it’s not cheap (not as expensive as boats, possibly more expensive than photography), and it requires at least a bit of space that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. Luckily, I feel like makerspaces are starting to have more and more metalworking equipment.
you make some really good points!
Cooking. So many people don’t even have the bare minimum ability to throw something together from raw ingredients that’s vaguely nutritious, palatable, and won’t give anyone food poisoning, so of course start there - it’s so much cheaper than ready meals and there are plenty of recipes that are fast if time constraints are why you use ready meals. In fact, a trick I’ve always used is to cook something that serves 4-6 people, divide the extra into tubs, and freeze it. That’s a few nights where making dinner is as quick and simple as defrosting something, maybe boiling some rice or pasta to go with. Do this with a half-dozen meals and you can alternate and not have to cook for weeks.
Beyond that though, learning a little more about flavour and technique, how to season a dish like a pro, some more unusual flavour combinations etc. can add real interest to your diet for very little extra effort, time, or cost. A few cheap herbs and spices can cost less than a single portion of what you’re cooking and give you enough to enhance months worth of meals.
Cooking yourself a treat is great therapy. Cooking something a bit fancy for someone makes for a cheap yet heartfelt date night. Cooking a meal your family enjoys is really satisfying. Everyone should learn to cook, just a little.
Wood working. Can fix things and build things. It’s very rewarding. Can find second hand tools and slowly build your collection and upgrade them as you develop and hone your skills until your wife surprises you at home with your closest friends and family and they proceed to tell you that you have a problem and have to decide between investing time and energy into a living family or your woodworking hobby.
Baking - fresh warm bread is so good!
Sewing - it’s nice to add pockets to things 😁
Sewing, at least to the level of basic mending. Helps one realize what well made clothes look and feel like.
- making bread
- brewing beer (or making wine or cider, as one prefers)
- repair sewing
I suspect I’d feel the same about welding or smithing, but I haven’t tried those (yet).
Juggling is fun and makes you really great at throwing things (but only mildly better at catching them hehe) 👍
