Ask HN: Any interesting niche hobbies?

Article summary

The author is looking for a novel and interesting niche hobby that isn't too crowded, allowing for meaningful contribution. They have explored various hobbies in the past, such as 3D printing, mechanical keyboards, and machine learning, but find them to be industrialized. The author is currently working on a chess engine but finds it to be a solved problem. They are seeking suggestions for new and exciting hobbies to pursue.

Main themes

• Niche Hobbies
• Social Interactions
• Personal Development
• Community Building
• Novelty and Interest
• Social Deduction Games

What commenters say

• Organizing in-person meetups can be a rewarding hobby, allowing people to connect and make friends in a low-structured setting.
• Some people find social deduction games to be an attractive way to meet others, especially those with socializing difficulties.
• Forced social interactions, such as those in deduction games, can be uncomfortable for certain individuals.
• The existence of 'normies' who are socially skilled and well-rounded is debated, with some arguing they are rare or non-existent.
• Hobbies should be pursued for the enjoyment of the process, rather than just the end result.
• It can be challenging to find novel and interesting hobbies due to the amount of money and attention poured into digital fields.
• Meeting new people can be facilitated by hosting events or attending meetups, but it may require effort to find the right group or activity.