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Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

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Re: Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

#11

Post by borplk »

hjhkjhk wrote: post #6

I feel almost same way as you do. In 2020, I have secret plans to start consulting on the side. Instead of maximizing number of billable hours by suggesting custom everything in latest JS framework, I will be suggesting the simplest possible solution be it Shopify or Wix, or static sites. Of course, my clients goals may not align with mine. I am hoping to empower small business owners like plumbers, barbers, etc and…

Be careful to not fall into the trap. The signal to noise ratio and the nature of the work is such that your brilliance/minimalism and so on will be neither recognised nor appreciated. This is the problem of a proud craftsman trying to be the sales person. The loud sleazy dishonest sales person who has no idea how any of this nerd shit works will win. He will over-promise and under-deliver and lie, cheat, and misrepresent. And he will get away with it, and get rewarded for it.

Re: Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

#13

Post by jacobroyquebec »

tabtab wrote: post #5

The same internal or custom CRUD app done with 90's tech was much quicker and much less code than current web stacks. Is it too much distraction with fads and JavaScript UI gizmos, CRUD-unfriendly web standards, a combo, or something else? Something is wrong. It's good for IT worker employment, but customers are paying an ARM chip and a leg (bad pun intended). We de-evolved. Ooga Booga. We had Jetsons-like drag-and-d…

Exactly how I feel about web dev. Then, even when you can convince a client that all those layers are useless, a sleazy competitor salesman can convince him otherwise...

Re: Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

#14

Post by jacobroyquebec »

hjhkjhk wrote: post #6

I feel almost same way as you do. In 2020, I have secret plans to start consulting on the side. Instead of maximizing number of billable hours by suggesting custom everything in latest JS framework, I will be suggesting the simplest possible solution be it Shopify or Wix, or static sites. Of course, my clients goals may not align with mine. I am hoping to empower small business owners like plumbers, barbers, etc and…

Good idea, that way you can feel like you do a part of good (helping people) while pushing simple software.

Maybe if we can get enough traction, it could be the new trend ;)

Re: Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

#15

Post by jacobroyquebec »

psv1 wrote: post #2

Your values, your actual values, are what you do, not what you say that you like because it sounded good on the internet.

I see your point and I have not made it clear in my post;

I actually follow these values in all other parts of my life; I cut back on my possessions (lots of sales and gifts), take exclusively public transport, eat vegan and (mostly) local, always favour low-tech, package free buys and responsible companies, etc.

My job is the complete opposite, which I want to fix.

Re: Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

#16

Post by psv1 »

jacobroyquebec wrote: post #15
psv1 wrote: post #2

Your values, your actual values, are what you do, not what you say that you like because it sounded good on the internet.

I see your point and I have not made it clear in my post; I actually follow these values in all other parts of my life; I cut back on my possessions (lots of sales and gifts), take exclusively public transport, eat vegan and (mostly) local, always favour low-tech, package free buys and responsible companies, etc. My job is the complete opposite, which I want to fix.

So how does being vegan and taking public transport contradict with being a software developer?

I really think that you're approaching this backwards if you decide "this is the values that I follow" and then try to change every aspect of your life to fit that vision.

Re: Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

#17

Post by jacobroyquebec »

psv1 wrote: post #16
jacobroyquebec wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see your point and I have not made it clear in my post; I actually follow these values in all other parts of my life; I cut back on my possessions (lots of sales and gifts), take exclusively public transport, eat vegan and (mostly) local, always favour low-tech, package free buys and responsible companies, etc. My job is the complete opposite, which I want to fix.

So how does being vegan and taking public transport contradict with being a software developer? I really think that you're approaching this backwards if you decide "this is the values that I follow" and then try to change every aspect of your life to fit that vision.

My thought process while adapting my life are more akin to this :

I felt disconnected and unhappy -> found those principles/values that seem to make people more happy (who were in the same situation as me) -> tried them, felt much more happy and fulfilled than before -> try to apply it to other areas.

Re: Ask HN: How to Blend 'Minimalism/Low-Tech/Degrowth' with Software Development?

#18

Post by tabtab »

jacobroyquebec wrote: post #13
tabtab wrote: post #5

The same internal or custom CRUD app done with 90's tech was much quicker and much less code than current web stacks. Is it too much distraction with fads and JavaScript UI gizmos, CRUD-unfriendly web standards, a combo, or something else? Something is wrong. It's good for IT worker employment, but customers are paying an ARM chip and a leg (bad pun intended). We de-evolved. Ooga Booga. We had Jetsons-like drag-and-d…

Exactly how I feel about web dev. Then, even when you can convince a client that all those layers are useless, a sleazy competitor salesman can convince him otherwise...

Yip, the buzzword-slingers know how to sell the Swiss Army Kitchen Sink by making them fear what-if scenarios: What if you need internationalization? What if you need mobile? What if you need web-scale? What if you need microservices to connect to Foo.com's great web services? What if you need a pony?

Warren Buffett has often said that one key ingredient to his success is not fearing saying "no" to questionable or borderline opportunities. Most investment firms don't feel comfortable paying people to sit around all day and say "no". It looks like slacking to the bosses. But Buffett has no bosses, so he can say no for a decade if nothing good comes his way. He tunes out the bandwagon if the math isn't there.

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