Zed Shaw is trolling again. His ego is so boring.
Good that I stopped reading the rant when I found out it was him.
Advice From An Old Programmer
181–190 of 230 posts
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#182My guess is that I've been coding for longer than Zed, and I don't remember _ever_ thinking it was boring, and a lot of the stuff he says might be true for Zed, it sure as hell isn't true for the rest of us: "Programming as a profession is only moderately interesting. It can be a good job, but if you want to make about the same money and be happier, you could actually just go run a fast food joint." If this is actual…
don't let Zed's online persona (they ZSFA type one) fool you. He's actually a brilliant coder, has done all the things that it sounds like he hasn't and is one of those who I think has actually given more to the community than the "community" has ever given him (I'm making reference to the phrase "give back to the community") Sure, he has a fairly unapologetic and somewhat confrontational nature (much like DHH) that…
Oh, fanboys like you are the worst.
His online persona has one truth - he spits into communities.
And to compare DHH with Zed is unfair to DHH. DHH never made such idiotic rants like Zed.
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#183I like the point mentioned that we should avoid being allied to a particular language and reflect on solving the problem.
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#184Earlier quoted context omitted.
From your article: "I have been programming for a very long time. So long that it is incredibly boring to me." So, to continue rhapsodizing to each other about our inabilities, you're apparently unable to read _your_ _own_ _writing_. You may be remembering this sentence instead, which you also wrote: "Programming as a profession is only moderately interesting."
No, I'm referring to what you quoted: > Programming as a profession is only moderately interesting. Direct quote you pulled from my book and then commented on. The quote you just referenced is just what I think as my personal opinion, not a statement of fact. So yes, you can't read, especially when you quote the material.
[deleted]
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
I definitely got a different, more inspiring read out of this post. I'd sum it up as "programming for the point of programming will eventually reach a local maximum of enjoyment; focus instead on the creative potential and possible reach of the art programming has enabled you to create." In other words, "make something people want", and from that you will really receive fulfillment. The true, lasting satisfaction tha…
You'll find that this part of the book gets interpreted by different people in different ways. Some folks, usually those who've invested their life in only programming, take it offensively and assume I'm insulting them. Others who are beginners or maybe having a hard time with programming find it inspiring. Still others just find it weird. To each their own.
Your post reminds me to time when I did my first freelance project. I want to create software/applications that people can use, and can make their life easier.
Thank you Zed.
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#186Earlier quoted context omitted.
See also "Programmers Need To Learn Statistics Or I Will Kill Them All", by the same author. http://zedshaw.com/essays/programmer_stats.html
I'd personally change that to "human beings need to learn statistics or I will kill them all".
"Humans need to learn statistics or _it_ will kill them all."
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#187Earlier quoted context omitted.
Getting paid is only a form of acknowledgment that you worked, but it in no way denotes respect. It simply says " to the best of our knowledge s/he did work for the duration of this pay period. I agree that some people do get respect in this industry, but too many of us are simply cogs in a wheel.
What's so bad about being a cog in a wheel, if you're enjoying your life?
I think that's precisely one of the the points Zed is making. That is, that coding is a cool, rewarding pursuit. But that you shouldn't expect a coding profession to necessarily be the either cool or rewarding.
If you're happy in that profession, great. I don't think the chapter in this book says you shouldn't be, in fact I think it would suggest that you have the right disposition for such a profession and are therefore fortunate.
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#188Oh please. You can't make as much money running a fast food joint and you will not be happier, unless that's in your blood. (I know one of the owners of a super-high-grossing KFC and have run a small business myself.)
Programming is a cushy, stimulating, high-paying job - and don't you ever forget it.
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#189I'm surprised than in this whole wall of critique, almost nobody has pointed out about the last 3 paragraphs.
I don't think "They can go to hell" is a good enough advice. There are nerds out there who are struggling socially, may be even virgins and I think they deserve better advice.
Re: Advice From An Old Programmer
#190Earlier quoted context omitted.
1. Take this problem (with working-age Americans/First-world westerners): 2. Add 600 million Indians, 500 MM Chinese, 110 MM Americans, 100 MM Indonesians, 80+ MM Brazilians, and 40+ MM Russians under the age of 25 [1]. 3. Mix thoroughly in your Internet's blender of culture and ethics. 4. Vigorously shake world economic dynamics, then allow 10 years to settle. 5. Voilà! [1] Population data from Wolframalpha.
I am constantly worried about this. We (as software developers) are in a time where the ability to code is scarce, and very valuable. But, at some point in time so was being a carpenter, or a toolmaker, or any other skilled profession whose value over time has diminished. In 5 or 10 years, the sole ability to code will probably diminish in value, become more of a commodity, easier to learn, and maybe even become a lo…
Elance has been sending jobs to the UAE for a decade and developers still make above median wage in the USA.
Suppose the labour market floods with a bunch of newly skilled programmers. HN folks will still have years of experience on those who just finished Learn Python the Hard Way. And: even post this book, there is still a huge barrier to learn basic programming.
Experienced programmers might even like working in a world where more people can code. Imagine if your typical Design Client From Hell could do basic CSS and tweak reds for him/herself.