Hacker News: poncho_romero

New comment by poncho_romero in "The startup's Postgres survival guide"

poncho_romero — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:13:00 +0000

In the PHP back end I work on, I find the ORM immensely helpful because we need to instantiate objects to do things like permissions checks. The alternative seems like much more work. What am I missing with regards to ORMs being a bad idea?

New comment by poncho_romero in "Xiaomi-Robotics-1"

poncho_romero — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:34:07 +0000

Mass displacement of every sector of labour. Dissent policed by Boston Dynamic's robodogs. You will own nothing and be happy.

New comment by poncho_romero in "Xiaomi-Robotics-1"

poncho_romero — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:31:23 +0000

Yes but unemployment where a small cadre of rich elites own the robots and the rest of us are serfs is very different from the public owning and benefiting from the robots in the form of strong social services and UBI.

New comment by poncho_romero in "Terence McKenna's Mega Bad Trip"

poncho_romero — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 17:48:26 +0000

I'm surprised someone as enlightened as yourself can't imagine a person coming to spirituality themselves.

New comment by poncho_romero in "Zig Creator Calls Spade a Spade, Anthropic Blows Smoke"

poncho_romero — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:38:02 +0000

Why would the author write this paragraph alone using AI?

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:44:14 +0000

I'd love to learn about this middle road. As I said in my comment, I'm not happy with my conclusion.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:43:22 +0000

Your preferred default is also entirely subjective. I'm also not an extrovert. My friends all acknowledge my extreme introversion.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:07:04 +0000

Eastern Canada, where people are generally easy going and friendly. I'd be surprised and disappointed to hear things are different elsewhere, but I don't have the lived experience to say one way or another.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:05:23 +0000

I think we see things differently. I view conversation as an offer, with no expectations either way. Whereas you seem to put more weight on it, I'd guess because the ADHD you mentioned in another comment means interruptions are more impactful for you. I'm not sure there is a way to bridge this gap, because for me (based both on my understanding of modern psychological research and personal experience), a world without talking to strangers is a much impoverished one emotionally and spiritually. I'm afraid I'm willing to throw your mental wellbeing out with the bathwater on this, though I feel bad about doing so.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:59:36 +0000

I think there is some truth to that, especially on public transit.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:59:07 +0000

You can simply decline the conversation. It's not as big of a deal as you are making it out to be. I'm not saying you have to actively opt into social interaction, whatever that means. I'm saying its reasonable for others to offer social interaction if you're in public.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:48:42 +0000

Saying things like "it's rude to bother people who are in public" (paraphrased) is antisocial and reflective of our time, where people live increasingly isolated and atomistic lives, not of human nature. My point is people who are not open to experiencing the lives of others around them are, as social animals, unwell. It's also worth noting that I don't think this is the fault of any individual (although my initial comment was not clear on this point) but rather of modern society which so thoroughly devalues what is human in favour of what is material and saleable.

Edit: I'm also very much an introvert, FWIW.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:46:37 +0000

That's fair. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:23:30 +0000

You're right, my comment is unfair. In my defense, I've had my sleep interrupted several times recently by motorcyclists trying to make as much noise as possible, so I'm a little ornery ;)

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:13:20 +0000

I find your negative view of humanity saddening. I think most people are basically good.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:09:54 +0000

Common in rural eastern Canada too.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:08:39 +0000

Some of you are unwell.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:07:55 +0000

What is the public if not the space where we interact with others?

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:05:19 +0000

I think most will pick up on subtle cues. That said, there is nothing wrong with being direct. And for those people who struggle with saying no, well, practice makes perfect.

New comment by poncho_romero in "The AirPods Effect"

poncho_romero — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:03:55 +0000

If you are in a public space, I think it's totally fair game to initiate talk. It's also totally fair game to signal that you aren't interested.