Ask HN: If you didn’t have to work for money, what would you be doing full time?

[vasuki]

Pursuing research in different fields (especially computational physics, bioinformatics) in personal capacity.

I had once asked the same question to a scientist friend who actually wanted to switch back from research to engineering to find some practical implementation of the things he had been working. I guess it was partly because organizational research does confine you within certain bounds and most of the times its taxpayer money so you have that in the back of your head to make sure you do not abuse it and actually perform relevant research which is "useful". This is why I have explicitly mentioned "personal capacity".

[haps]

Working on my art, drawing comics, going to art-conventions, teaching, producing music, creating games, traveling the world, participate in more social events (playing mtg, dnd, music-festivals, theater, etc.), learn more about psychology, watching & reading & playing a lot more games, books, movies and everything else. Shameless plug for my art and everything else (i hope the server doesnt crash, warning, there is a tiny bit of artistic nudity): https://hapsam.com/

[aynyc]

I would become a full time ski instructor or ski patrol in the winter, and probably a teacher of something during the rest of the year.

[etothepii]

Coding, which funnily enough is what I did for money.

I've only got a three month garden leave and I thought I'd spend it playing golf and reading, but it turns out I want to write code.

[decasteve]

A bunch of different things:

1) Spending more time with people I love.

2) Traveling.

3) Low-impact hobby farming and forestry with horses.

4) Learning to do new things.

5) Connecting with new people in my community. Volunteering.

[scamper]

The same thing I do on nights/weekends now: writing sci-fi novels.

[kleer001]

Have you published anything I can get my grubly little eyeballs on?!

[garmaine]

Playing with my kids.

I mean that seriously, but in the spirit of the question I would (and am, since I’m in this position) still working part-time on labors of love, and going back to school for my PhD.

[GianFabien]

Once you commit to your PhD work, you won't have time to play with your kids. Believe me, I've gone down that path. It was an 8 year journey with lots and lots of roadblocks, challenges, mental and physical health issues, etc.

For your own and your family's sake, read up (a lot) about other people's experiences with a PhD. It almost never is plain sailing, no matter how optimistic you are about it at the outset.

[the_only_law]

Asssuming I had enough money, working on my various useless but fun side projects. A little bit of venturing in various other things, trying random hobbies / jobs / etc. seeing what I like and what I don’t like. Going out, sometimes to random places and just talking with people about their life stories and passions. I would be lying if I didn’t admit I’d spend time playing games or other unproductive tasks as well.

[cojoke]

Great question! Writing and producing electronic music, continuing to explore and develop that perfect analog/digital setup, DJing loud dance music for anyone who will listen, and probably continuing to explore the intersection of electronic music and neuroscience (I.e. what’s happening to your brain when you rock up with 10k other folks to all focus on and experience the same show).

[jurgenwerk]

I would be a full time artist. I create concrete sculptures. Have gotten amazing validation over the years and would really love to do it full time. If you're curious how this stuff looks like, check https://www.instagram.com/jurgenwerk/

[gabrielsroka]

Your work is beautiful. The MX6 piece reminds me of the Silicon Graphics (SGI) logo. Unfortunately I don't have an Instagram account so it's hard to navigate that site. It blocks you after a few views.

Is the concrete reinforced? Can you talk about how you use compression and tension in your pieces?

[mbrodersen]

Beautiful work.

[pknerd]

- teaching STEM to local communities.

- Join some RnD lab where I can usr my dev experience to solve science related problems. I can make website, write automation tools in python and data analysis.

PS: if anyone read this and willing to discuss some opportunity then mail me at [email protected] Check my site given in profile to learn about me.

[kleer001]

I know nobody would be working on maintaining infrastructure. Or at least not enough people to keep civilization afloat.

[caeril]

Raising sheep and bees, brewing mead, making Manchego, and writing software/building hardware to automate some aspects of the homestead.

I'd probably still sell my wool, mead, and cheese, even if I didn't need the money - at or near cost. No reason to not contribute to broader society.

[ambivalents]

Write a book, go on long bike rides, become a master at cooking, drawing, painting, and meditation.

[giantg2]

Probably hobbies, a small farm, and some sort of limited charity/volunteering.

[mapster]

Do you do these things now, just to a lesser degree?

[LinuxBender]

Relaxing, mostly. There are many things I would like to do if I had all the time in the world. Rock collecting in a mine. Get my private pilots license. Build a carbon neutral home. Learn more chemistry.

[kls]

Restoring old vehicles (trucks / cars) and spearfishing.

[yulaow]

I would be collaborating in academic research projects half the time and helping in an animal shelter for the other half.

[Viliam1234]

Coding computer games, writing books, giving lectures, spending more time with my friends and family.