Name one useful thing you've learned due to the pandemic

[ironhammer]

I imagine that overall the pandemic hasn't been great for all of us, but what useful things have come out of it for you?

Three things that I can think of:

1. Learn to use Zoom. 

2. Putting together a good home gym setup at a friend's place let us work out properly indoors (okay, not quite so useful now that it's summer time, but winter was great).

3. Learning to cut my own hair. At least well enough that people don't point and laugh.

[Deleted]

The flu can have minimal effect, if we take proper precautions.

[jayj79]

learning which people I really want to avoid (the anti-masker/anti-vaxxer types)

[mikegarrison]

Many people are selfish AF.

[ironhammer]

Anyone learnt any specific skills or knowledge while they were stuck at home under quarantine or lockdown earlier? Learned a new language? A coding program? Read some insightful book?

[ned3vball]

Listening to a lot more music than I had in years.

[gobruins]

I learned that there are a lot of really stupid people posting on this board.

No, wait...I knew that before the pandemic.

[nowhereman]

How not being employed does have its pluses. Namely not having to work for managers or companies that don't care what good you do for them, only what you're doing ring so they can find an excuse not to pay you.

Or the hypocrisy of people who say we're all in this together when they themselves don't have to suffer, especially the politicians, They can all rot in hell.

[ironhammer]

Jun 23, 2021 19:02:57 GMT -5 nowhereman said:

How not being employed does have its pluses. Namely not having to work for managers or companies that don't care what good you do for them, only what you're doing ring so they can find an excuse not to pay you.

Or the hypocrisy of people who say we're all in this together when they themselves don't have to suffer, especially the politicians, They can all rot in hell.

I've always wondered deep down, how many of us really enjoyed our jobs. If money and the need to pay the bills (i.e. tax, mortgage, other miscellaneous payments), isn't an issue, would we continue to do what we are doing? I've been fortunate to work in a field I enjoy, and in an ideal world, everyone should be able to work on a career they enjoy. But the real world is not  always ideal. For many I know, they have to work in jobs they don't particularly care for (or even hate), but they got to put food on the table and feed their families, so what choice do they have?

On a related note, the pandemic seems to remind us of our mortality. That we need to take some time out of work to appreciate the life around us. To take a break out of our busy and stress-filled work lives and enjoy the company of our family, friends and marvel at the wonders of nature and life. 

Sounds corny and hippie-like I know, but I was surprised how taking a long weekend off to go hiking in the hills , spotting wildlife and just getting away, if only temporarily, from the frenzy of the daily rat race at the office, helps me to relax and recharge my batteries.

[Deleted]

This is for another thread, but along the lines of working and if most people really enjoy working:

it won’t be that long before algorithms take over a lot of jobs. Then a lot of people simply won’t be employable. They’ll be forced to accept government basic living income, and find some other way for their lives to have meaning.

[nowhereman]

I actually enjoyed my job. Finding another one would be a poor substitute for what I used to have, so what's the point.....I'm just relying on my investments to bridge the gap between now and when I can access my retirement accounts. Owning shares in a couple trillion dollar companies does not hurt.

[madonna]

Expanding my limited list of meals I cook and roast. 

[AmeriCanvbdad]

I learned that my DD is a great person to talk to. Full of dry wit, and wonderfully probing questions.

I love her as my kid and I'm starting to REALLY like her as a person.

[maplespear]

Jun 23, 2021 20:33:24 GMT -5 ironhammer said:

Jun 23, 2021 19:02:57 GMT -5 nowhereman said:

How not being employed does have its pluses. Namely not having to work for managers or companies that don't care what good you do for them, only what you're doing ring so they can find an excuse not to pay you.

Or the hypocrisy of people who say we're all in this together when they themselves don't have to suffer, especially the politicians, They can all rot in hell.

I've always wondered deep down, how many of us really enjoyed our jobs. If money and the need to pay the bills (i.e. tax, mortgage, other miscellaneous payments), isn't an issue, would we continue to do what we are doing? I've been fortunate to work in a field I enjoy, and in an ideal world, everyone should be able to work on a career they enjoy. But the real world is not  always ideal. For many I know, they have to work in jobs they don't particularly care for (or even hate), but they got to put food on the table and feed their families, so what choice do they have?

On a related note, the pandemic seems to remind us of our mortality. That we need to take some time out of work to appreciate the life around us. To take a break out of our busy and stress-filled work lives and enjoy the company of our family, friends and marvel at the wonders of nature and life. 

Sounds corny and hippie-like I know, but I was surprised how taking a long weekend off to go hiking in the hills , spotting wildlife and just getting away, if only temporarily, from the frenzy of the daily rat race at the office, helps me to relax and recharge my batteries.

This is so important, and I've read a couple of articles that a lot of Americans are realizing this and either quitting their jobs, or not going back to them after working from home.  I very much enjoy working, but am in no hurry to get back.  Been working a full time job since 1982 and a taking a break for a couple of years is okay with me.  Your post is not corny and not hippie-like, the human conscious needs this. 

[ironhammer]

Jun 27, 2021 10:00:20 GMT -5 maplespear said:

Jun 23, 2021 20:33:24 GMT -5 ironhammer said:

I've always wondered deep down, how many of us really enjoyed our jobs. If money and the need to pay the bills (i.e. tax, mortgage, other miscellaneous payments), isn't an issue, would we continue to do what we are doing? I've been fortunate to work in a field I enjoy, and in an ideal world, everyone should be able to work on a career they enjoy. But the real world is not  always ideal. For many I know, they have to work in jobs they don't particularly care for (or even hate), but they got to put food on the table and feed their families, so what choice do they have?

On a related note, the pandemic seems to remind us of our mortality. That we need to take some time out of work to appreciate the life around us. To take a break out of our busy and stress-filled work lives and enjoy the company of our family, friends and marvel at the wonders of nature and life. 

Sounds corny and hippie-like I know, but I was surprised how taking a long weekend off to go hiking in the hills , spotting wildlife and just getting away, if only temporarily, from the frenzy of the daily rat race at the office, helps me to relax and recharge my batteries.

This is so important, and I've read a couple of articles that a lot of Americans are realizing this and either quitting their jobs, or not going back to them after working from home.  I very much enjoy working, but am in no hurry to get back.  Been working a full time job since 1982 and a taking a break for a couple of years is okay with me.  Your post is not corny and not hippie-like, the human conscious needs this. 

Yes, I think its about trying to find a proper balance in our lives. Sadly, it is a reality for many Americans that they don't have the luxury to make that choice. But if you worked to a point where you can make that choice, its something to reflect and ponder on.