[Jun8]

Thing is: I don't think your younger self would have listened to this advice because your mindset is a function of time. I know I wouldn't have. Unless, of course, the advice giver can show you actual proof that the things he's saying are true, e.g. like the Almanac from the future that the older Biff is clutching. Or to show Archimedes how to derive the volume of a sphere using calculus (should you show him how to generalize the formula for a n-dim sphere, maybe not).

So that brings us to the following thought: There are two kinds of advice a time traveler can give: (i) "Objective" stuff that will actually happen, and that perhaps you can provide proof for, i.e. the Instagram advice; and (ii) "subjective" stuff that may or may not turn out that way, i.e. "don't marry that girl".

BTW, due to the Butterfly Effect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect) these two are not as clear cut as above.

[itmag]

I've often wondered if it's possible to actually get to a place where you are receptive to learning from the experiences of others without having to experience the mistakes yourself. Perhaps it's this thing that people call wisdom :)

[nrmehta]

If my dad were on Hacker News, he'd be all over this. I clearly don't value his advice enough even though it's been pretty dead-on. One thought to add though. I think one problem people have with advice (at least a problem I have with advice) is sometimes, when delivered the wrong way, it oversimplifies the complexity of the situation you're in. You're in a situation and the decision looks hard. And someone comes in and gives you advice which is great but sometimes in the process makes your problem seem simple. If you struggle with a problem that to others seems simple, how do you feel? Answer = dumb. So when I'm asked for advice, I try to keep this in mind - to not minimize the significance or complexity of the person's struggle.

[itmag]

I see most things in life as a three-step process: first there is (apparent) simplicity, then there is the pain of discovering the real complexity of things, then there is a third step of attaining enlightened simplicity. But this only comes after having been through the complexity. So the goal to strive for is simplicity on the other side of complexity.