Gained a base ability to discuss some interesting subjects I had no familiarity with before. Picked up a number of various tips, tricks, and best practices. Some really intelligent commentators that consistently offered interesting thinking points - pg, unalone, and patio11 are 3 of my favorites.
But if I'm to be really, truly honest with myself - Hacker News is entertainment for me, masquerading as productive time. When I focus and read a novel or a piece of nonfiction or a scientific paper, I get a hell of a lot more long term, practical gain than I do reading HN. For quite a while, I thought HN was a great use of time. It is - but it's cooldown/relaxation time, and I won't be fooled into thinking otherwise again.
But if I'm to be really, truly honest with myself - Hacker News is entertainment for me, masquerading as productive time. When I focus and read a novel or a piece of nonfiction or a scientific paper, I get a hell of a lot more long term, practical gain than I do reading HN. For quite a while, I thought HN was a great use of time. It is - but it's cooldown/relaxation time, and I won't be fooled into thinking otherwise again.