Life Hacking Tech Brief By HackerNoon
Technology
About
Learn the latest life hacking updates in the tech world.
Episodes
- Life Lessons I Learned in Grad School: The ROI of Irrationality
This episode reflects on career and academic systems, suggesting that irrational persistence, not degrees or safe pivots, is the key to success. The speaker emphasizes committing to one's niche despite a challenging academic pipeline and j…
- Vibe-coded Mac apps are arriving fast — here is what gets lost in the process
AI-powered Mac apps are rapidly appearing on platforms like GitHub, presenting themselves as free alternatives to established utilities. However, many of these applications suffer from a lack of reliability and security, sometimes performi…
- Why Behavioral Data is the New Gold Standard in Talent Acquisition
Behavioral data is now the gold standard in talent acquisition, offering insights into candidate performance and potential beyond traditional resumes. This method uses psychometric data to assess decision-making and adaptability, leading t…
- Why Being Average Might Be Your Biggest Advantage
The episode argues that consistency, adaptability, and balanced effort are more reliable drivers of long-term achievement than raw talent. It reframes being 'average' as a strength, promoting balance, resilience, and sustained growth.
- Why Dumb People Outsmart You and Steal Your Success
This episode discusses how intelligent individuals tend to overthink and hesitate, while less intelligent people act decisively. It argues that the world often rewards action and visibility over high IQ, and suggests ways to overcome the p…
- Making Tech Human: How to Stay Curious in a Digital World
This episode discusses how to make technology more human and approachable. By using curiosity, storytelling, and a growth mindset, individuals can transform digital tools into sources of creativity, learning, and empowerment, rather than f…
- Stop Paying the Cognitive Switching Tax
This episode discusses the myth of multitasking, explaining how open cognitive loops drain mental resources. It introduces the 4 D's framework to help listeners manage cognitive load and enhance focus.
- The Prison You Build While Trying to Prove You Belong
This episode discusses imposter syndrome, defining it as outsourcing your worth to uncontrollable outcomes. It advises shifting focus from results to personal values to build self-worth and break free from self-imposed limitations.
- How I Use Zettelkasten and Obsidian to Keep My Notes Organized
This episode details the use of Zettelkasten and Obsidian for note organization, emphasizing the creation of a connected web of thoughts rather than a simple collection. The Zettelkasten method focuses on connections, mirroring the non-lin…
- The Time Hacker Method
This episode explores the Time Hacker Method, a form of hacking focused on exploration, understanding, and sharing. It relates to concepts of productivity and time management and was originally published on HackerNoon.
- What I Learned About Human Psychology From the CIA
This episode explores human psychology as understood by the CIA, discussing motivation, how people function, and achieving desires. It highlights the difference between perception and perspective, noting that most people are limited by the…
- How self care and assertiveness can help the remote worker
This episode discusses how remote workers can achieve success through self-care and assertiveness. Assertive communication is highlighted as a learnable skill beneficial for remote work, personal development, and career advancement.
- Interwoven Realms: The Dance of Reason and Creativity in Human Understanding
This episode discusses the interplay of reason and creativity in human understanding and communication, drawing on reflections and AI interactions. It delves into what it means to express ideas, exploring whether the process is primarily l…
- School is Dead. Embrace Modern Education Instead.
This episode introduces an 8-step framework for acquiring new skills online for free, utilizing resources like AI. It advocates for modern, continuous self-education to adapt and grow.
- How to Deal With the Issue of Toxic Productivity
This episode discusses toxic productivity, an excessive drive for constant output often rooted in hustle culture. Key signs include neglecting essential self-care practices such as sleep and breaks.
- How To Learn Anything Fast
This episode discusses how to learn anything faster by debunking the 10,000-hour myth and optimizing the learning process. It suggests mastering hobbies in just 20 hours.
- Your Guide For Overcoming Procrastination and Getting Down to Work
This episode of Life Hacking Tech Brief discusses overcoming procrastination by breaking old patterns and mastering new routines. It suggests identifying the reasons for delaying tasks as a key strategy to get things done.
- 6 Years of Burnout: My Journey Back to Loving Programming
The author describes experiencing six years of burnout due to overwork, which led to hating programming. This year marks the beginning of recovery and a renewed interest in coding.
- Creathievity: Can Your Ideas Be Stolen? (& What to Do)
This episode of Life Hacking Tech Brief explores whether ideas can be truly stolen or merely copied, addressing the concerns of creators and offering insights into protecting intellectual property. It clarifies the nuances of idea ownershi…
- I Taught Free Lessons in Personal Cybersecurity for Technology Novices and This Is What I Learned
The author shares their learnings from conducting free personal cybersecurity lessons for technology novices. The article delves into insights gained from this teaching experience.
- From Business Mindset to Creativity
Benoit Malige discusses the transition from a structured business approach to embracing creativity, inspired by Rick Rubin. He emphasizes authenticity, risk-taking, and experimentation in navigating this shift.
- What Is the ISTJ Personality Type, and Why Do They Favor IT Careers?
The ISTJ personality type, one of 16 identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, represents 11-14% of the global population and is more common in men. This episode discusses their characteristics and why they often gravitate towards IT…
- I'm Quitting my Job to Teach High School Computer Science
Zach Flower is leaving a Director of Engineering role to become a high school Computer Science and Cybersecurity teacher. This decision reflects a significant career and life change, moving from the tech industry to education.
- The Advice Paradox: Why We Can't Follow Our Own Wisdom
This episode discusses 'The Advice Paradox,' examining why individuals find it difficult to act on their own wisdom. It combines psychological insights, personal stories, and actionable advice to help close the gap between knowledge and pr…
- How to Access YouTube in Restricted Areas — 10 Methods
This episode explores 10 methods for accessing YouTube in restricted areas, discussing the reasons behind such restrictions and outlining safe, legal ways to bypass geo-blocks for seamless content access.
- Your Network, Your Net Worth: 3 Tips to Network Better
Scott Dclary shares three tips for better networking: act as a talent scout, create a personal board of directors, and practice reverse mentoring. This episode from HackerNoon
- Why 'Leave Your Comfort Zone' Is Really Bad Advice (And What To Do Instead)
This episode explains why the advice to leave your comfort zone is often detrimental. It offers actionable steps to gradually expand your comfort zone, fostering lasting personal growth and success by addressing the self-concept that keeps…
- Setting Different Backgrounds for Each Desktop on Windows 11 and 10
This article explains how to set a unique background wallpaper for each virtual desktop on Windows 11 and 10 using a simple trick. Users can create unlimited desktops and customize their backgrounds via Task View.
- The Uncomfortable Truth About Comfort
This episode discusses the uncomfortable truth about comfort, highlighting the science-backed benefits of embracing discomfort. It explains how stimulating the anterior midcingulate cortex (AMC) can enhance willpower and resilience, offeri…
- Don't Waste Your Time Watching Sports
This episode explores the perspective that watching sports and participating in small talk can distract individuals from their personal goals and growth. It encourages listeners to focus on meaningful activities instead of superficial ente…
- 6 Strategies for App Developers Dealing With Anxiety During Layoffs
Daniel Leimanis, creator of the Calmer app, offers six strategies for app developers experiencing anxiety during layoffs, focusing on mindfulness, physical health, goal-setting, and seeking support. These tips are aimed at helping professi…
- Standing Out is Overrated: You Should Just Conform Instead
This episode discusses how the obsession with standing out can be detrimental, suggesting that embracing authenticity and conforming by being oneself is an underrated path to finding your place.
- Therapy is Broken—Here's How to Fix it
A significant percentage of adults drop out of therapy due to traditional methods. Technologies like Reflective are emerging as game-changers for therapists, offering enhanced client support beyond sessions.
- Dear Dad.
This episode reflects on the life lessons passed down from a father figure. The author shares wisdom gained from childhood experiences, emphasizing the importance of this knowledge in shaping his identity, particularly in the first Father'…
- From Sex and the City to the Luxury Experience Market: Tony Abrams on Stellar Launch
Tony Abrams explains Stellar, a platform for reselling non-refundable luxury experiences. Stellar connects buyers and sellers, curates listings, and donates a portion of transactions to various charitable causes.
- Life Hack: Boosting Productivity with the Pomodoro Technique
This episode discusses the Pomodoro Technique, a method involving 25-minute work intervals followed by short breaks, which writer Avni Savaliya found significantly improved his productivity and focus.
- Everything You've Been Told About Passion is a Lie
This episode challenges the common advice to "follow your passion," suggesting instead that focusing on dislikes is a better career strategy. The approach aims to guide individuals toward more fulfilling work by helping them avoid unproduc…
- The F*ck It Effect
This episode discusses the 'F*ck It Effect,' a mindset of resignation or impulsivity. The author shares a personal experience of quitting a job to start a business without savings, illustrating this phenomenon.
- Dear America, I Am Breaking Up With You
The author reflects on their decade-long experience in America, originally drawn by the promise of the American Dream. Now, sitting in a Colombian coffee shop, they contemplate the dreams, challenges, and revelations leading to a decision…
- These 6 Factors Are the Difference Between Success and Failure
This episode explores six key factors differentiating success from failure: defining clear goals, consistent daily actions, resilience, positive self-belief, discerning feedback, and knowing when to seek help. These elements form a bluepri…
- Happiness Is Based on a Flawed Equation — Here's How to Fix It
This episode discusses the flaws in Jimmy Carr's happiness formula, suggesting a need for personal growth and self-reflection to find true happiness. It offers a fresh perspective on achieving happiness beyond a simple equation.
- The Anti-Luck, Decision Making Framework: Mastering the Art of Making Smart Choices
This episode introduces the Anti-Luck decision-making framework as a structured method for making smart choices. It suggests applying this framework instead of relying solely on intuition when faced with difficult decisions.
- Effective Communication at Work: Key Practices to Enhance Collaboration and Success
This episode discusses key practices for effective communication at work, including setting clear expectations, active listening, and prompt conflict resolution, to improve collaboration and productivity. It highlights strategies to overco…
- Unlocking Doors to Google & Facebook!
This episode discusses strategies for securing tech jobs at companies like Google and Facebook, focusing on how to differentiate oneself without referrals and prepare for challenging coding interviews. It also references related content on…
- Overcome the Overwhelm with 4 Simple Yet Powerful Productivity Tools
This episode discusses overcoming overwhelm caused by complex modern tools and information overload. It suggests using simple, powerful productivity tools, comparing them to a Swiss Army knife for their effectiveness.
- 6 Strategies and Tools to Manage Multiple Jobs Effectively
This episode discusses strategies and tools for managing multiple jobs effectively, drawing from personal experience to overcome stress. It offers insights into productivity, task management, and related topics for entrepreneurs and indivi…
- Why Humans Are Drawn to Games
This episode discusses why humans are drawn to games, highlighting gamification as a proven strategy that transforms how we work, shop, and interact.
- Upside: What You Need to Know About the Popular App
The Upside app, founded in 2015 by former Google employees, provides personalized gas savings by using user data and machine learning. Its technology is integrated into Uber and Lyft apps to help drivers mitigate high gas prices, and over…
- I Was Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Hacking Back - My Story
Jonathan Manzi shares his story of being sentenced to 18 months in prison for hacking back, detailing how a profound experience with a homeless woman in San Francisco shifted his perspective on digital ethics and intentions.
- 5 Tech Companies That Work Differently
The episode discusses five tech companies—Basecamp, Linear, Wise, Buffer, and Ghost—that diverge from the typical tech industry obsession with rapid growth. These companies focus on sustainable growth and employee well-being, often by impl…