Ask HN: What cool skill or project interests you, but feels out of reach?

Hacker News Discussion ↗

Hardware, Electronics, and Robotics

  • Many want to move beyond “blink an LED” into real electronics: robotics, debugging broken devices, solar + battery systems, backpacking power gear, force feedback, drones, synthesizers, EEG, guns/ICE engines, EV chargers, etc.
  • Barriers: steep theory (PLLs, ADC/DACs, DSP), high cost (tools, PCBs, batteries, lab gear, workshop space), fear of “burning $200/month,” and lack of a clear learning path.
  • Some argue serious EE is too mature/expensive/math-heavy for hobbyists; others counter that modern digital/IoT (“just wire I²C modules”) is accessible and rarely destructive.
  • Practical advice: start with Arduino/Raspberry Pi/ESP boards, starter kits and books, cheap clones and breadboards, Ben Eater videos, Make: Electronics, AD2/AD3 tools, makerspaces, and small PCB runs once basics are solid.

Software, Systems, and Math

  • Desired-but-daunting topics: Asahi Linux, CPU design, kernel dev and eBPF, Coq and formally verified assembly, building browsers, low-level Python extensions, modern deep learning (ResNets, transformers), quantum computing, custom weather/ML models.
  • Quantum computing sparks disagreement: one commenter worries about job saturation; others say there are very few graduates and practical QC is ~decades away. Some say you can get basic intuition in a few evenings; others question practical usefulness today.
  • Several people describe repeatedly “bouncing off” complex tooling (Coq, eBPF, Ladybird build system, ML stacks) despite strong interest.

Games, Music, and Creative Tech

  • Game dev is a major aspiration, blocked by depression, scope creep (art, audio, UI), and knowledge of exploitative industry conditions. Suggestions: fantasy consoles (Pico‑8, TIC‑80), Roblox, small jams with low pressure, and using AI for art despite social backlash.
  • Strong interest in DSP for synths, electronic music production, and audio tools; hurdles are math and grind. Recommended: audio programming communities, specific DSP books, DAWs, treating a single synth as an instrument, and making many “bad” tracks to learn.

Human Skills, Careers, and Life Logistics

  • Social skills (small talk, live conversation), presentations, and go‑to‑market/sales feel out of reach to many otherwise strong technologists.
  • Advice themes: these are learned, not innate; practice micro‑interactions daily, focus on storytelling structure, use books, courses, Toastmasters, and gradual exposure.
  • Other “out of reach” goals are non-technical: stable, respectful employment; early retirement; long breaks; running a business; adequate workshop space.

Emerging Science and Societal Projects

  • Interests include biotech, gene therapy, gene-editing hobbyism, computational alternatives to animal testing, synthetic biology, drug design with AI, virtual power plants, low-income electrification kits, expat-friendly index funds, and replacing Google services.
  • Perceived barriers: regulation, ethics, need for formal training, large upfront compliance/coordination work, and uncertainty about impact versus effort.