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adamzerner comments on Open thread, September 8-14, 2014 - Less Wrong Discussion
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Does anyone have any good ideas about how to be productive while commuting? I'll be starting a program soon where I'll be spending about 2 hours a day commuting, and don't want these hours to go to waste. Note: I have interests similar to a typical LessWrong reader, and am particularly interested in startups.
My brainstorming:
Audio books and podcasts. This sounds like the most promising thing. However, the things I want to learn about are the hard sciences and those require pictures and diagrams to explain (you can't learn biology or math with an audiobook). I'm also in the process of learning web development and design, but these things also seem too visual to work as an audiobook.
Economics audiobooks might work, idk. I could also listen to books about startups/business, but I'm at the point where I know enough about these things that diminishing returns have kicked in.
I've read a good amount about psychology already, and feel like diminishing returns have kicked in. Although psychology seems like it'd work well with an audiobook.
Perhaps sci-fi audiobooks would be good? Would I learn from these or would it just be entertaining? Any suggestions (I read 1984, Enders Game and Brave New World. I liked them, but didn't learn too much from them.
I read HPMOR and loved it. Anything similar to that?
Other than audiobooks, I could spend the time brainstorming. Startup ideas, thought experiments, stuff like that.
Not really what you're looking for, but I feel obligated:
Move or get a different job. Reduce your commute by 1 or 1.5 hours. This is the best way to increase the productivity of your commute.
I read (can't remember source) that commuting was the worst part of the people's day (they were unhappy, or experienced the lowest levels of their self-assess subjective well being).
I'm doing a coding bootcamp (Fullstack Academy). It's in NYC and I live with my parents in Long Island now. It's only 13 weeks so it's not that bad, especially if I could make it productive. If it was long term I'd probably agree with you though.
Commuting by car is terrible. Commuting by foot is great. There is not a lot of data on commuting by subway, but it does not look good.
Long distance foot commuting is still pretty bad. In my experience I don't hate the world as much, but burning two plus hours a day commuting sucks no matter what. The subway is definitely much better than car commuting, but not as nice as biking or walking. I think subway commuting is vastly improved by good distractions available through a smartphone, though.
Driving or public transportation?
If driving, don't forget that you have a limited amount of attention available and being "productive" as a driver involves some trade-offs X-)
I should have mentioned that, it's all public transportation (train + subway). If I get a seat on the train and it's not too crowded I could use my laptop to code or to read, but it's difficult to get a seat.
You can read easily enough if you have a tablet or an e-reader.
It'd be really tough on a NYC subway. On the train, I could read if I get a seat (because I could use my laptop). A tablet would help for the train when I don't have a seat, but I don't really think it's worth it for that one case
I read my kindle pretty easily on the NYC subway by keeping it near my face/within my personal bubble. I've also read paperbacks there, turning pages one handed in an awk way, but I recommend kindle.
It's also very easy to read while walking with a kindle!
Hm, I think you're right.
Hm, I think you're right.
1) I came to my original conclusion too quickly and without thinking about it enough. 2) That sounds doable. 3) I've seen people read on the subway before (although it seems rare enough that it allowed me to draw my initial conclusion).
A potentially cheap, easy way to get more information about the ease of using an e-reader: get someone you know to lend or give you an old one.
Given the limitations (that you describe in other replies) I think you've got a good list.
Regarding podcasts, this could be a great time to experiment with new ones & decide which you want to listen to longer term.
Perhaps there are some short activities of value to you, such as Anki (assuming you have a smartphone), mentally reviewing your memory palace, or mindfulness exercises. Mindfulness exercises on public transport may seem a little odd, but the distractions may make it more effective as exercise - just be patient with yourself.