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Comment by supermatt | Hacker News Reader

As a farmer, always working from home, I realise I am exceptionally privileged not to be trapped in a tiny apartment during multi-month covid lockdowns. It must be hard to keep any balance when you are eating, sleeping, working and resting in the same box

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This. As a remote software engineer, I empathize with folks who haven’t optimized for their home to be their day-to-day. I couldn’t imagine spendings lockdown in an SF Apartment.

I spent lockdown in a 3k sq. foot home. I have a floating desk and a panasonic toughbook (CF-31), spend my days floating in my pool writing code. A similar QoL as before lockdown. Not everyone’s lockdown experience was the same.

Lockdown QoL was a mix of privilege and pre-lockdown decisions. Lots of folks couldn’t afford better conditions. Lots of folks optimized for living life outside their home.

A floating desk? Sounds cool of course, but doesn’t the movement distract?

You’d think! But I adjusted surprisingly quick. I’m not sure there is a “trick” to it as much as the brain just adapts and you forget you’re looking at a moving screen.

Personally I don't find wide sq. footage to be super necessary. My unit is less than a third of your space, and even then on a day-to-day basis I really only use half of that (home office, living room, kitchen).

I grew up in a giant house and spent most of my time in my bedroom / living room.

I will admit it helps to have a nice view and peace and quiet.

To each their own and different lifestyles of course.

We have two children and use every sq. ft. So much so that I had to convert our spare garage to an office, which isn’t included in the sq.ft. (pool isn’t viable year round!)

I need pics of this! I can't imagine how you keep your head and arms supported.

You’re the 3rd person to mention being a farmer. Do we have a bunch of farmers on HN? That’s really interesting. What brings you here?

Raised in a farming family. Worked in IT for 20 years. Bought my own farm from proceeds. Still keep my hand in with software dev. Like projects for the winter :)

Please see: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27973320

You guys are reading too much into these comments. I’m not surprised that farmers use science or technology. I know they do. I’m surprised they’re hanging out specifically in HN.

Typically the perspective I see in HN is from people with a primarily IT background, with an emphasis on FAANG-like or Silicon Valley-type companies. I know that HN’s audience is broader than that though, and it’s refreshing to come across a different point of view. I would have had the same reaction if several comments mentioned they were microbiologists. It’s just not what I normally see, and I’d be curious how they landed here too.

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