p0d's comments

On: Tell HN: Thanks for All the Fish

[p0d]

I don't read in the Bible that Jesus did say, sell everything, as a message to every person. It was a challenge to a particular wealthy individual whose wealth was a moral stumbling block. He did teach a lot about money, in particular the dangers of loving money, and the importance of sharing with others.

I do not believe our goal in life should be to seek wealth, or poverty. Having genuine peace, or being generous, is not related to your wealth. In my lifetime I have been given a child's money jar and a car from a well off friend when I was stuck. The money jar still gets me.

On: 40 years of writing code. I didn't see the end coming

[p0d]

I am of your vintage and it occurs to me that programming may return as a hobby, which is how I started. Maybe it will fill the gap in the declining number of ham radio hobbyists, of which I am also one.

On: Ask HN: If I am 16 what should I learn? Which books should read?

[p0d]

I was reading computer magazines < 16 and now > 54.

I am in Northern Ireland and very fortunate our public library provides digital access to books and magazines through the free Libby app. The app has some of the best computer magazine publications.

Regardless, don't discard magazines. They are good for keeping up to date and sparking ideas.

On: Three important steps in my maturation process

[p0d]

I am 54 and my response to your 40s insight is, "Amen".

On: Ask HN: What changed in your life when you started meditating (and how)?

[p0d]

My meditation is religious in nature.

I work my way through the Lord’s Prayer every morning. I pause after each line and then pray with words.

I started this pattern a number of years ago as I could not concentrate during silence and I wrestled with intrusive thoughts.

This has been life changing. I believe I have become more disciplined in other areas of life and health as a result.

On: Ask HN: When and why did you start believing in God?

[p0d]

Lecturer in Cybersecurity. I started to believe in God in my late teens, 40 years ago. I was at a party and a friend told me he had become a Christian. As I slept on a sofa in the party house I prayed, “Jesus, if you are out there, will you come into my life”.

Christian belief tends to follow by being told about God through colleagues, friends and family. Becoming a follower follows study of the Scriptures and disciplines such as prayer.

Some HNers may see belief as less intelligent. At 54 I can guarantee there are men and woman out there more intelligent than yourself who believe in God. My most intelligent, unbelieving Professor friend, would agree with me on this point.

On: If a machine can think, why can it not also feel?

[p0d]

My son had a little toy called Charlie when he was a baby which he loved deeply. AI no more has feelings than the idea Charlie came to life and played with the other toys when we left the room.

On: Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?

[p0d]

Leaf by Niggle, Tolkien. If you worry about your life being a disappointment, or you are often distracted / lack focus, read this :-)

On: Ask HN: Building a solo business is impossible?

[p0d]

Solving a problem in my area and timing is my experience. My sideline is 18 years old and paid for a lot of my family life.

On: Ask HN: What's your experience self-hosting in 2026?

[p0d]

Loving a migration from Dropbox to Nextcloud and client tls certificates through Cloudflare to work around my very tied down workplace :-)