Why do we work so hard? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#21

Post by bikamonki » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:04 AM UTC

It really depends. Most times you just need the money. Sometimes you have nothing better to do. Many times you just keep doing it because you are used to doing it. A few times is your dream job and you just can't stop doing it. Work is more than economics, is not a function of money. Work is action. My father is a 73 'retired' professional and scholar, now serving as a congressman, and already thinking what to do next. Action is life and you should never stop it: work til you drop.

Another question would be: why do we keep working so hard for money when technology could already solve many of our needs?

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#22

Post by madengr » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:05 AM UTC

buf wrote: post #15

madengr wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you been able to "cash out" enough to do what you want?

Technically no. Eventbrite still hasn't gone public.

Well having done a few conference and course registrations through it, it works very well. Just don't let it turn into a Ticketmaster.

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#23

Post by nsxwolf » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:05 AM UTC

itsAllTrue wrote: post #5

The only reason I work hard is to surround myself with people I respect. When I find myself pushed into situations where irritating people have crept into the mix, and no one seems to be willing or able to do anything about that, I look for an exit. Boss' nephews. Obnoxious assholes who constantly talk about getting laid. Bitchy careerist ladies who constantly demand bullshit, and seem to foment panic with every brea…

Do you maybe just hate most of humanity?

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#24

Post by tim333 » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:07 AM UTC

buf wrote: post #7

I moved to SF in 2008 as a poor college grad. Since then, I've spent all of my time in startups. It's an unhealthy addiction and it's going to kill me. I was the third engineer at Eventbrite, and I spent years working many extra hours. After 4 years, it felt like I worked 10 years. I quit and moved to Europe to try to leave the startup scene, but a month later, I found myself the CTO of a startup in London. The addic…

Maybe you could stick CTOing but slack off a bit as the company becomes prosperous?

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#25

Post by cubano » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:07 AM UTC

buf wrote: post #7

I moved to SF in 2008 as a poor college grad. Since then, I've spent all of my time in startups. It's an unhealthy addiction and it's going to kill me. I was the third engineer at Eventbrite, and I spent years working many extra hours. After 4 years, it felt like I worked 10 years. I quit and moved to Europe to try to leave the startup scene, but a month later, I found myself the CTO of a startup in London. The addic…

I think the OP perfectly reasons through your situation.

Perhaps the real madness would be trying to change something that is obviously very important to some part of your soul.

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#26

Post by Tempest1981 » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:07 AM UTC

buf wrote: post #18

Tempest1981 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is "looking at houses in Denver" depressing?

To me, it represents a slower pace of life. EDIT: trust me, I'm not bored.

Are you sure it isn't just boring, vs. depressing? Maybe if you find a hobby or side project, it'll counter the boredom.

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#27

Post by arca_vorago » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:09 AM UTC

Because in a poor economy the most job desperate set ceilings for themselves they dare not touch. I know people who produce millions in profit a year, on 50-60k salary with any bonus over 3k for xmas is unheard of. Disparate power between employee and employer. I personally the problem is people dont understand the correct process of negotiating a contract.

In essence, making people desperate makes robots that are handy, but the lack of reward incentive creates demonstratably worse worke product.

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#28

Post by buf » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:10 AM UTC

tim333 wrote: post #24

buf wrote: post #7

I moved to SF in 2008 as a poor college grad. Since then, I've spent all of my time in startups. It's an unhealthy addiction and it's going to kill me. I was the third engineer at Eventbrite, and I spent years working many extra hours. After 4 years, it felt like I worked 10 years. I quit and moved to Europe to try to leave the startup scene, but a month later, I found myself the CTO of a startup in London. The addic…

Maybe you could stick CTOing but slack off a bit as the company becomes prosperous?

That's not me.

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#29

Post by rvense » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:12 AM UTC

bitmapbrother wrote: post #8

Whenever I read topics like this I always think of Office Space. Bob Porter: Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately. Peter Gibbons: I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob.

Don't you wanna express yourself?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVyCK70BTUs

Re: Why do we work so hard?

#30

Post by Aleman360 » Sun, Mar 13, 2016, 3:19 AM UTC

laxatives wrote: post #19

buf wrote: post #7

I moved to SF in 2008 as a poor college grad. Since then, I've spent all of my time in startups. It's an unhealthy addiction and it's going to kill me. I was the third engineer at Eventbrite, and I spent years working many extra hours. After 4 years, it felt like I worked 10 years. I quit and moved to Europe to try to leave the startup scene, but a month later, I found myself the CTO of a startup in London. The addic…

The way I see it, this is great. Start up success means you get to live a lifetime of working in X many years instead of Y like everyone outside of tech, where Y >> X. You have the freedom to direct that energy towards family, yourself, and charity when you want to call it quits. Most people don't get that luxury. You also have the freedom to look back at a short, but intense career of (hopefully) successful products…

Don't assume your health will be good forever.