21 votes

New years resolutions?

Posted by tesseractcat
Tags: ask.survey, personal, casual, new years, future

I know this is a relatively stereotypical new years post, but I'm interested in seeing what everyone here on Tildes wants to do to improve themselves for this coming year. Personally, I want to devote more time into language learning, which would include spending more time watching foreign TV, studying vocab, etc.

24 comments

  1. [6]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [2]
      Bishop
      Link Parent
      21. imma pour the rest of this wine into my glass and text this cute theatre girl back šŸŒ happy new year ye beautiful people. i know most of you don't fuck with the stuff i post on here - but all...
      • Exemplary

      21. imma pour the rest of this wine into my glass and text this cute theatre girl back šŸŒ

      happy new year ye beautiful people.

      i know most of you don't fuck with the stuff i post on here - but all the same, i've felt nothing but welcomed and appreciated in all my time on the site.

      and that's honestly so much more than i ever expected from the platform.

      i hope you all get everything you could ever want out of this year.

      much love

      Bishop.

      19 votes
      1. TurdFerguson
        Link Parent
        This post is great. You bring some much needed spice to this place! There's a lot of similar-sounding tech dudes on here, so I agree with your 20th resolution hehe. Best of luck with your resolutions!

        This post is great. You bring some much needed spice to this place! There's a lot of similar-sounding tech dudes on here, so I agree with your 20th resolution hehe.

        Best of luck with your resolutions!

        2 votes
    2. [2]
      Staross
      Link Parent
      I would recommend not using using TensorFlow but rather using something like python's autograd or Julia's ML libraries (Flux, Knet). TensorFlow is quite idiosyncratic and not great for learning...

      get over my deep-seeded hatred of math and learn Machine Learning (TensorFlow.js probably)

      I would recommend not using using TensorFlow but rather using something like python's autograd or Julia's ML libraries (Flux, Knet). TensorFlow is quite idiosyncratic and not great for learning the basics imo.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. Staross
          Link Parent
          Basically modern machine learning is just automatic differentiation and GPU arrays. In Tensorflow you have to build the function you want to differentiate using Tensorflow library, that I find...

          Basically modern machine learning is just automatic differentiation and GPU arrays. In Tensorflow you have to build the function you want to differentiate using Tensorflow library, that I find quite awkward (e.g. the while loop). For example this:

          function predict(x) {
    // y = a * x ^ 3 + b * x ^ 2 + c * x + d
    return tf.tidy(() => {
      return a.mul(x.pow(tf.scalar(3))) // a * x^3
        .add(b.mul(x.square())) // + b * x ^ 2
        .add(c.mul(x)) // + c * x
        .add(d); // + d
    });
}

          In Julia would just be:

          predict(x,a,b,c,d) = a*x^3 + b*x^2 + c*x + d

          Also Tensorflow does a lot for you, it's a bit abstracted from what's going on. But you are right for the documentation and examples.

    3. Dovey
      Link Parent
      Holy cow, you'd better get started. ;)

      Holy cow, you'd better get started. ;)

      3 votes
  2. [3]
    cordyceptive
    Link
    Bishopā€™s post is amazing, yo. Hereā€™s my list: Read 26 books. Ideally non-fiction and broadly useful, but Iā€™m really excited for Ted Chiangā€™s new collection this year! Build the habit of training...

    Bishopā€™s post is amazing, yo. Hereā€™s my list:

    1. Read 26 books. Ideally non-fiction and broadly useful, but Iā€™m really excited for Ted Chiangā€™s new collection this year!
    2. Build the habit of training for alpine climbing. Iā€™m in passable shape, but big objectives I want to do call for big improvements.
    3. Build better social habits. Namely getting coffee with new friends and keeping in touch with old ones every month. I can do a lot better in this field! Recently I realized that I have social anxiety and itā€™s keeping me from being as social as Iā€™d like.
    4. Write more programs so I can get better! Compared to my classmates, I donā€™t think Iā€™m as skilled at implementing things.
    5. Finish and release my first visual novel. Itā€™s, uh, in very early stages. Iā€™ll need to find an artist for sure.

    Up and at ā€˜em again, 2019!

    13 votes
    1. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. cordyceptive
        Link Parent
        Aww, thank you for the support! It's making me smile :) Ted Chiang is one of the best sci-fi authors I've read, one of his stories was made into Arrival. Here's a link to another, The Merchant and...

        Aww, thank you for the support! It's making me smile :)

        Ted Chiang is one of the best sci-fi authors I've read, one of his stories was made into Arrival. Here's a link to another, The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate, which is about time travel, paradoxes, and regret.

        Climbing is great! You'll always have (one of the four types of) fun climbing. If you're in the Northeast I can show you the ropes!

        2 votes
    2. 666
      Link Parent
      For number 5: don't let waiting for an artist delay you, start writing and programing, use stick figures and MS Paint art if you must. If you already have something and can show people you are...

      For number 5: don't let waiting for an artist delay you, start writing and programing, use stick figures and MS Paint art if you must. If you already have something and can show people you are really working on it it'll be easier to find someone willing to help.

      1 vote
  3. [2]
    Duke
    Link
    Wanna finally get Arch up and running this year with i3 gaps and vim set up. And want to learn more back end web development and python/scripting. Besides that just finishing 1 book every 2 weeks...

    Wanna finally get Arch up and running this year with i3 gaps and vim set up. And want to learn more back end web development and python/scripting. Besides that just finishing 1 book every 2 weeks (but not sure how I'll incorporate this given that some books are just a 100 pages while others are 1500+) and some more general stuff. Want to start learning Finnish grammar too

    6 votes
    1. unknown user
      Link Parent
      You can read multiple books simultaneously. It is harder to get used to than it sounds, but it's also quite useful. Especially non fiction, because I find they are way harder to digest when you...

      You can read multiple books simultaneously. It is harder to get used to than it sounds, but it's also quite useful. Especially non fiction, because I find they are way harder to digest when you intend to read the entirety of them. I can read a 600 page novel in a day or two if I really like it and it is a fluent read, but a 60 page technical or academic text can take more than that to really digest. So I split my reads as quick reads and longreads, longreads happen in multiple weeks and I use my agenda to progress through them, while keeping my current quick read in my hands reach to read it when I have time (for me, these days, the long read is An Introduction to Language by Victoria Fromkin, and the short read is a horrible translation of Borges' Ficciones).

      1 vote
  4. [3]
    Jedi
    Link
    This will actually be the first year I'm doing "new years resolutions". Never really did it before because I always hear about how people set up resolutions just to never follow up with them, but...

    This will actually be the first year I'm doing "new years resolutions". Never really did it before because I always hear about how people set up resolutions just to never follow up with them, but I'm pretty confident I can do it, and to make sure I do, I'm giving myself an incentive.

    Here's what I'm going to do:

    • Get to a normal BMI.
      This means losing about ~40 pounds.
      Here's how I plan to get there: I'm going to fast. Did it last year briefly and it worked out really well. Didn't feel all that hungry either. I'll doing this back-and-forth throughout the year. I'll probably do a 5/2 week schedule, though I worry I may lose weight too fast that way. I'll adjust if necessary.
    • Release my app.
      I've got a private repository with GitLab, and all my issues are there, I just need to fix the bugs and add the features still unimplemented, then it's release time!
    • Read more.
      I've never been a big reader, but I want that to change. I recently downloaded Libby on my phone and digitally obtained a library card. Picked up Pet Sematary by Stephen King, currently on Chapter 44. Admittedly this "resolution" started at the end of last year, so that might be cheating, but I'll allow it.

    And here's some things I'd like to do, but am not going to prioritize as high as the others:

    • Be more social.
      I'm terribly quiet around people, and I want to loosen up a bit. I'd like to find a pool hall or something, but unfortunately there's none near me.
    • Dress better.
      Plain colored t-shirt, shorts, and unbrushed hair. That's been my apparel for as long as I can remember. I don't want to dress so lazily. As much I hate it, maybe I'll start wearing jeans, and more interesting shirts? And hey, maybe I'll brush my hair too!
    • Start meditating.
      I've done this but never stuck to it. Probably be the same again, but hopefully I can change that? I enjoy guided meditations, but most of the ones I've found are a bit pricey. Maybe I just need to get used to timed meditations.

    So back to that incentive. If I lose the weight, release my app, and finish some books, I can justify my purchase: The Pixel Slate. It's expensive, controversial (especially round' here, I'm sure), and doesn't have much use for me since I already own a Pixelbook. But, it looks really nice, and I really want it. Plus, I'm sure there'll be sales by the end of the year, so that should help.

    6 votes
    1. [3]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [2]
        Jedi
        Link Parent
        I appreciate you taking the time to write all that, it's super motivating and nice. Wasn't expecting so much positivity in this thread. The main reason I chose fasting is because from my...

        I appreciate you taking the time to write all that, it's super motivating and nice. Wasn't expecting so much positivity in this thread.

        The main reason I chose fasting is because from my experience, not eating is just easier than watching and tracking everything I do eat, it has nothing to do with anorexia, though I appreciate the concern.

        My app's definitely a priority for me, but I think I got enough done that I'm past the "give up" hump where I could easily trash the idea and work on something new. It's a fairly niche app, so I don't think it'd really appeal to this community.

        I just put The Alchemist on hold, if Libby's estimates are correct I should have it by the time I'm finished with Pet Sematary.

        I've never heard of Meetups (I assumed by the capitalization you meant a site, right?), but it looks really neat. I could definitely benefit from getting out more. How do they make money off of the service though?

        I definitely don't want to force myself into a style that's "not me", it's just right now I've been putting on what's been most convenient rather than actually caring about how I look.

        For meditation I'm currently using a 30 day trial with "Waking Up" through Reddit, I was previously using Calm's free sessions, and have only really looked at Headspace. Is there a reason you'd recommend it over its competitors?

        Again, I really appreciate the effort you put into that comment.
        Cheers!

        1 vote
        1. Gaywallet
          Link Parent
          Even just eating your meals a bit later helps to reduce caloric intake - a late breakfast means a late lunch which means a late dinner. A late enough breakfast might mean a late enough lunch that...

          The main reason I chose fasting is because from my experience, not eating is just easier than watching and tracking everything I do eat, it has nothing to do with anorexia, though I appreciate the concern.

          Even just eating your meals a bit later helps to reduce caloric intake - a late breakfast means a late lunch which means a late dinner. A late enough breakfast might mean a late enough lunch that it's basically dinner and then you go to bed before having dinner or have a snack instead.

          I've been pretty big into fitness for 10+ years now so if you ever need some tips on how to cut weight more effectively, feel free to DM me or reply to this message. I've got a million things to go on about, but if you feel you have everything in check I won't bug you by talking off your ear. šŸ˜‰

          2 votes
  5. [2]
    tn5421
    Link
    I want to make the transition to using Linux Mint fully this year, only popping up a Windows VM for the occasional program that won't run in WINE and the Steam Games I have that also don't play...

    I want to make the transition to using Linux Mint fully this year, only popping up a Windows VM for the occasional program that won't run in WINE and the Steam Games I have that also don't play nice with WINE.

    5 votes
    1. Jedi
      Link Parent
      Don't forget about Proton/Steam Play. Those should help with at least some of the games you've got that won't run on WINE.

      Don't forget about Proton/Steam Play. Those should help with at least some of the games you've got that won't run on WINE.

      5 votes
  7. unknown user
    Link
    Learn portuguese: I've been wanting to study european portuguese for five or six years, but I had to learn italian for my undergrad and some bad stuff happened, but finally I've started studying a...

    • Learn portuguese: I've been wanting to study european portuguese for five or six years, but I had to learn italian for my undergrad and some bad stuff happened, but finally I've started studying a few weeks ago. I'm doing listening and reading comprehensions, but I need to study some grammar and find something to use for excercises. Most of my learning will be throush comprehension and production excercises, and auto immersion, but some grammar study helps a lot in the beginning.

    • Land a master's in linguistics, at the Bogazici Univeristy if I'm lucky: My BA is Italianistics at the Istanbul University, so that will require luck plus lots of studying, which I've been doing for a while now. Bogazici has the best linguistics department in Turkey. And it's a single bus ride away from my home, so that's cool.

    • Become fit: I put on quite some weight in the past years, and stabilised around 74 kg now (170cm male). I am fine with being around ~70kg, but I have put on a tummy, and I don't like that. I want a flat stomach, slightly bigger chest and a good posture.

    • Socialise: I've broken up with my childhood friends, and because of some events during the last couple of years I couldn't get new friends during uni. These days I'm home studying for my upcoming master's applications, but once I get a job (hopefully freelance and / or remote) I'll go out more to cafes and events, and maybe take a couple courses. And setting foot in a school will help too. I'm also socially "lazy", so I should fix that too.

    2 votes
  8. [5]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [4]
      666
      Link Parent
      A few months ago I got my sleep cycle in order (with the help of an app) and also started sleeping about 8 hours per day, and I continued feeling very tired. If you continue feeling tired after...

      A few months ago I got my sleep cycle in order (with the help of an app) and also started sleeping about 8 hours per day, and I continued feeling very tired. If you continue feeling tired after getting your sleep cycle in order you should probably see a doctor (this is advice from someone who should probably see a doctor but is too lazy to do so).

      1. [3]
        Gaywallet
        Link Parent
        Are you overweight or don't exercise? You might be too lazy to see a doctor, but slowly increasing physical activity through means of standing, walking, or doing other exercise is surprisingly...

        Are you overweight or don't exercise? You might be too lazy to see a doctor, but slowly increasing physical activity through means of standing, walking, or doing other exercise is surprisingly easy. Fixing your diet to include less sugar and eat more vegetables is pretty easy too and both will improve energy levels.

        2 votes
        1. [2]
          666
          Link Parent
          Not overweight and I have a good and varied diet, it helps that I don't like it when food has too much sugar or salt. I'm guilty of not exercising very often, I walk about 3km per day (usually at...

          Not overweight and I have a good and varied diet, it helps that I don't like it when food has too much sugar or salt. I'm guilty of not exercising very often, I walk about 3km per day (usually at a fast pace) but that's all exercise I do.

          1 vote
          1. Gaywallet
            Link Parent
            Ah that's a shame, you've already done all the easy stuff to fix your sleep so it should be restful. The likely culprit is sleep apnea, something fairly easily fixed if you finally go see the doctor.

            Ah that's a shame, you've already done all the easy stuff to fix your sleep so it should be restful. The likely culprit is sleep apnea, something fairly easily fixed if you finally go see the doctor.

            1 vote
  9. [3]
    alessa
    Link
    I'm going to leave when it's warmer and I'm not gonna come back.

    I'm going to leave when it's warmer and I'm not gonna come back.

    1 vote
    1. [2]
      kaitlyn
      Link Parent
      Where are you going?

      Where are you going?

      1. alessa
        Link Parent
        For starters anywhere but here. Probably be living at festivals for awhile. Rainbow gatherings. Follow the dead. Find some dirty kids or some hippies and just be with my people. There's nothing...

        For starters anywhere but here. Probably be living at festivals for awhile. Rainbow gatherings. Follow the dead. Find some dirty kids or some hippies and just be with my people. There's nothing for me in civilized society. Gonna go hit the highway again and aim for an early death.