Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#51

Post by icsllaf » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 3:53 AM UTC

stephenhuey wrote: post #31

mooreds wrote: post #20

I interviewed with 18F/USDS and they seem like they fit what you are looking for (assuming you are in the USA, which may not be the case). They work on modernizing the US government programs. Lots of opportunities for you if you are willing to move to DC, some if you are senior and are willing to work remote. More here: https://18f.gsa.gov/

A friend of mine who has repeatedly sought to help out impactful non-profit initiatives over the years jumped from Google to 18F and he is really glad to be there. He has always leaned towards those interests and while he enjoyed some experiences at Google, he has never been interested in making a lot of money and I know he relishes the challenge of solving not just technical problems but also organizational improvem…

I'm afraid to ask, but do 18F and other likewise government "startups" pay well? Most government jobs relating to programming seem to be limited by the GS payscale.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#52

Post by _wp3r » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 4:03 AM UTC

Two things.

Some people would say that helping art venues stay viable is respectable/nobleish.

Secondly.

Go find a way to help your neighbors near you.

IMO, there is no amount helping theoretical people/users that will motivate you as much as helping one person IRL.

Basic modern life is extremely complicated for half of the people in your town. Motivating someone, even a little bit, can material change the trajectory of their life. Big Sister/Brother, career counseling, social services counseling.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#53

Post by dpeck » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 4:59 AM UTC

Maximize the amount of money you can make at your job and then use it to find others doing hands on work. There is no shame in that and it allows you to best leverage your hard earned skills to best attend to the needs of others.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#54

Post by calabin » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 5:03 AM UTC

I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately as well. I run a software consulting firm (business automation, process improvement, etc.) and have been looking for ways for our company to utilize our skills for good. We could contribute in the ways that many companies already do (I put my employees on a bus to go paint a school or clean up a park and hire a photographer to make sure that it's of some PR value), but I think that we could do much more by aiding charitable organizations with certain high-impact software projects.

For example, This American Life did an episode about refugees in Greece and discussed how they need to continually dial a single phone number to register for an entrance interview (if I remember correctly) (https://www.thisamericanlife.org/592/are-we-there-yet). This was all done via Skype, so everyone had the ability to access web apps, and a single all-encompassing web application could have significantly reduced the time that these people spent in refugee camps (so long as other political forces didn't get in the way, etc.).

If you're interested in working together on something like this, I encourage you to email me at cj ^at^ oscillas.com.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#55

Post by LifeQuestioner » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 9:32 AM UTC

Most of my work as a software developer is for the better of humanity - which i'm lucky to do, but straight out of university it was my goal. I started a wee company that delivers stroke, dementia, autism therapies and we'll be branching out to our own products. Interestingly, I had a similar idea drawn up for Hollieguard - looks like I may not have to build it now.

If you're interested in any work, message me.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#56

Post by quickthrower2 » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 10:51 AM UTC

i_phish_cats wrote: post #32

I once attended a talk about humanitarian aid during an ebola outbreak a few years ago in africa somewhere. My favorite part was when he went down the list of professions that could help out... from the obvious medical staff, to architects and mechanical engineers for building infrastructure (for building things like containers for storing contaminated feces), etc. He ended with "every kind of engineer can help. exce…

The problem with software is it’s too effective! Do you need 500 developers hand writing Linux kernels so you can run computers? Nope just one CD needs to be posted.

Maybe the way we can help is keep building the services we build. If you contribute to wordpress you can help people in these countries, Indirectly, communicate.

Even working at Google providing free gmail, Facebook etc is helpful. Indirectly. Offering free plans of software as a service is another thing.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#57

Post by ploika » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 2:53 PM UTC

natestemen wrote: post #38

sampo wrote: post #5

If you are willing to change jobs, look at AgTech startups in general, and FinTech startups that are targeting the developing countries. All those have needs for front end devs (and mobile devs).

i have a hard time believing fintech startups targeting developing countries are going to help improve the world. or any fintech startup for that matter.

M-Pesa could be considered fintech that has improved matters for millions of people.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#58

Post by tomjen3 » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 2:58 PM UTC

Donate some of your salary to an effective charity. You don't have to get another job, but you have found a way to use software to convert the money of rich art lovers into saving lives.

You could do worse to find a charity than starting here: https://www.givewell.org/charities/top-charities

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#59

Post by tomjen3 » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 3:01 PM UTC

widforss wrote: post #33

OisinMoran wrote: post #30

The article "What Can a Technologist do about Climate Change?" [0] by Bret Victor is one of the best things I've read in regards to this issue. Not only is it incredibly interesting but it's also massively inspiring. If climate change doesn't take your fancy as a cause, 80000 Hours have put a lot of research into this list of the world's most pressing problems [1]. Maybe you would like to help tackling one of those.…

I'm sorry. I really wanted to read that article, but the website seems unusable in any form of web browser.

Op is getting downvoted, but I have to agree with him; the website is chaotic, but the font is directly painful to read (Chrome, Win10, HD screen).

It may look great on Mac, I don't know.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#60

Post by pigpen34 » Sun, Jan 20, 2019, 8:52 PM UTC

sheldon-b wrote: post #36

Good question. I was wondering the same thing a couple of years ago -- I'd been working at a couple of start ups and felt drained and uninspired by my work and wanted to make a difference. I found Code for America which has job lists for public-good technology work, and through CfA I found a company called Nava where I now work. Nava partners with government agencies to build better, more usable, and more equitable d…

I've had my eye on Nava for a while. I applied last year but didn't get an interview. I just applied again - 2nd time's the charm, right??