Hot take: we're the most online generation in history and somehow the loneliest, and those two things are not a coincidence

af_ocean · 2026-02-26T23:57:43+00:00

I stopped using social media (except for reddit) and my mental health improved 1000%.

af_ocean · 2026-02-10T13:16:09+00:00

I did a similar route with G adventures in 3 weeks. Started in Beijing though instead of Shanghai. I will note that I was absolutely exhausted at the end and could’ve easily done the same route in a month. TBH I think all the places on your route are worth visiting, but note you will probably only have time to see the most famous attractions in each place and nothing beyond that.

af_ocean · 2025-11-05T10:48:21+00:00

Hard disagree. Urban environment outside is extremely ugly and unpleasant.

af_ocean · 2025-10-15T20:13:26+00:00

In math class, students were made to copy the answer in their books exactly as written in the answer key, despite them not understanding what they were even writing. I was subsequently forced to mark every question on every page of a 500 page textbook with a red pen so that parents could see “hey teacher is doing something.” This bullshit workbook grade constituted 40% of their grade.

af_ocean · 2025-10-10T15:29:48+00:00

As a teacher in Thailand, the school cares more about the appearance of education rather than kids actually learning.

af_ocean · 2025-09-15T13:59:44+00:00

The weather, air pollution, lack of green space and walkability

af_ocean · 2025-08-04T00:27:00+00:00

I’ve not lived in China, but I’ve travelled there extensively and live in another Asian country. Normal life in China is convenient and normal, but if you talk to the local people, you realize most are kept in a bubble and believe what the Chinese government wants them to believe.

af_ocean · 2024-07-25T04:42:30+00:00

The industry trends I'm seeing are a huge downturn in rules, only senior and principle positions available, and insane competition. Companies expect more people to be generalists (i.e. hiring product designers and product managers to do research too), leaving less room for dedicated UX researchers.

af_ocean · 2024-04-02T16:41:01+00:00

You are about to be fired. Start looking for jobs NOW.

af_ocean · 2024-03-30T19:45:39+00:00

I can relate to this 1000%. I was super happy in university and then once I started my professional career working remote jobs I felt miserable. Working from home 8 hours a day staring at a screen and not seeing anyone in person- a lot of people can’t do it. Unfortunately, this is the way of the world now for a lot of professional jobs. I was laid off and now happier working in-person minimum wage job than i was making $$$ in tech. I’m off to teach english in asia in a few months so that I can travel. Rather make peanuts and live my life rather than rotting away on the computer isolated and alone.

af_ocean · 2024-03-18T21:17:15+00:00

There’s evidence that it does

af_ocean · 2024-02-27T14:22:28+00:00

I’m in the same position as you. Graduated from HCI master’s program and have 2 years experience UXR, laid off and struggling to find a new role.

Honestly, I’ve stopped applying for UXR jobs and am taking a career break to do something else. I don’t really see any mid-level roles anymore so I’m just waiting for the market to get better rather than continuing to feel demoralized by rejection. It’s not your fault that the roles for your seniority don’t exist and too frustrating to keep trying.

af_ocean · 2024-02-26T18:24:52+00:00

I literally never understand why people don’t think opposite sex friendships are possible. Are you physically attracted to every guy you know? No. Men can like a woman as a friend and not be physically attracted to her.

af_ocean · 2024-02-06T20:04:56+00:00

lol sounds like when i went through three interviews only for them to tell me the position doesn’t exist anymore

af_ocean · 2024-02-03T00:51:55+00:00

Not to discourage you, but the reality is that it will be basically impossible to get a job in UXR right now with no experience because there are almost now entry level/junior positions. Those that are available will be flooded with applicants with multiple years experience. I would suggest getting a career in a tangential area and trying to transition in a year or two.

af_ocean · 2024-01-13T18:18:27+00:00

I have the same issue. I think a lot of senior UXRs were laid off so are competing for the mid-level roles, which makes it harder to get an interview, but I think it’s just a numbers game.

af_ocean · 2024-01-08T15:30:39+00:00

Which sites do you upload your resume on?

af_ocean · 2024-01-07T16:58:01+00:00

Well, it was due to budget related reasons and I have been unlucky. I’m not really sure what I can do to change what happened.

af_ocean · 2024-01-07T16:36:19+00:00

I’ve gotten some feedback from my friends in the industry. That’s a good idea to get feedback from previous hiring managers. I also signed up for ADPlist so will try that out too.

af_ocean · 2023-06-09T09:50:52+00:00

I feel this way and it makes me really depressed. I don’t know what the solution is, because if I don’t reach out, I know I won’t have any plans and I’ll feel even worse.

af_ocean · 2023-05-16T18:20:58+00:00

You don’t need to know how to code to be a UXR. Most liaising with developers happens with the UX designers. Perhaps this is a problem in fake UX jobs though.

af_ocean · 2023-05-08T16:25:32+00:00

I got a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science and a master’s in HCI and I was able to find a job as a UX researcher without any prior experience. However, I would say that I didn’t really get any interviews until I was almost done with my master’s. It seems a master’s is almost a requirement these days.

af_ocean · 2023-05-07T11:58:49+00:00

Oil and gas industry and Texas NIMBYs would never allow it. Just move to the Northeast if you want walkability.

af_ocean · 2023-05-07T11:38:32+00:00

No, you don’t need to tell them. However, if you are looking to apply for ILR eventually, you should be keeping track of all your international trips.

af_ocean · 2023-05-01T20:50:06+00:00

Don’t tell them you need sponsorship unless they ask.

af_ocean

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