Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I think one of the reasons I find computers relatively easy is that I compulsively read whatever you put in front of me. I always read cereal boxes when I was a kid, even the non-kid cereal boxes that were all about colon health and fiber. But even I get this blindness sometimes, especially when I'm writing code and running builds and tests and trying to work quickly and efficiently. I'll get hung up on something for ten minutes where the answer is literally spelled out for me in front of my face.

This is an astute observation.

I also didn't know that other kids read cereal boxes like that... I thought it was just me!



There are likely some generational differences here... I definitely read even the nutritional information on the cereal boxes but it was because there was nothing whatsoever else to do during breakfast. If I had a smart phone I'd find something better to read.


I totally did this, and I found reading labels even more fun in Canada because they were also in French, and I didn't know any French!


There's a fair number of them. If there are any parents here with children like that, try to see if you can get them introduced to local trivia competitions such as Science Bowl–it's an invaluable skill that will put you leagues ahead of anyone else since they will never be able to replicate your child's "years of studying".


Another datapoint for developer and also reading all the cereal boxes.

Or even just signs when driving down the highway. I can't help but read everything.


Same here.

It took me the longest time to realize that for some people reading is something that doesn't happen until they choose to do it.


We need some data points from non-developers now.


Engineering student. Compulsive reader of all text within eyesight.


UX designer here who read all the cereal boxes. Still a compulsive reader, and the internet makes this a dangerous trait.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: