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Quit Your Job

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Re: Quit Your Job

#51

Post by Trasmatta »

going_ham wrote: post #36
andreyk wrote: post #27

"Transform your perspective thus: rather than seeing the job as carrying out someone else’s will in exchange for money, see it as itself your sacred cosmic duty. What important task do you do for the project you work for? How does that project fit into creating a more glorious future? How is that future pleasing to God, the proper order of things, and your own felt value instincts? Your wage is just a budget given to…

Shamelessly copying from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius adding cosmos and fancy word so that homework doesn't look like the original. ;)

Has McMindfulness been succeeded by McStoicism yet?

Re: Quit Your Job

#52

Post by thelettere »

going_ham wrote: post #43
darkengine wrote: post #41

I know it's bad form to move so quickly into meta-discussion on here, but I feel a lot of the comments in the thread right now are endemic of a certain closed-mindedness that has, to me, come to define in part the Hacker News zeitgeist, which stands in something of a contrast to the site's supposed founding principle of intellectual curiosity. There is plenty of prior art in Western (and other traditions of) philosop…

If it does, you will be extremely delighted knowing there is a book by Marcus Aurelius called Meditations. The book withstood the test of time. He has written it clearly and explained his reasons in a proper manner. He was a roman ruler and everything is from that perspective. Most of the people here are probably not making enough money to get by the everyday mundanes of life. So things like self-actualization are fa…

The notion that one has to take care of one's "needs" before pursuing anything "higher" is a lie and an excuse. The number of great intellectuals and writers who lived at least a portion of their lives - and often more - in absolute penury is testament to this. Einstein for example nearly died of starvation, yet he kept working.

One could make an argument that it is because of real world difficulties that one is able to do great work. What did Jesus say about the rich man and the kingdom of heaven? The times in my life when I've lived on the edges are the ones that have laid the groundwork for everything worthwhile I've done in my life. Success and comfort too often bring stupor and cowardice, and not worthy ambition.

Re: Quit Your Job

#53

Post by nefitty »

going_ham wrote: post #43
darkengine wrote: post #41

I know it's bad form to move so quickly into meta-discussion on here, but I feel a lot of the comments in the thread right now are endemic of a certain closed-mindedness that has, to me, come to define in part the Hacker News zeitgeist, which stands in something of a contrast to the site's supposed founding principle of intellectual curiosity. There is plenty of prior art in Western (and other traditions of) philosop…

If it does, you will be extremely delighted knowing there is a book by Marcus Aurelius called Meditations. The book withstood the test of time. He has written it clearly and explained his reasons in a proper manner. He was a roman ruler and everything is from that perspective. Most of the people here are probably not making enough money to get by the everyday mundanes of life. So things like self-actualization are fa…

Your assumption about the demographics of HN is counter to everything I've seen. Most of these people do have money. Simply by virtue of being professionals in the US, they are part of the 1%.

If someone was really inclined, $20k USD would pay for a year's rent in a comfortable apartment. $20k for other expenses. A year of grinding is open to a lot of people here I bet. They just don't want to do it.

The fear is too large, the inertia of normie life too great.

Re: Quit Your Job

#54

Post by darkengine »

going_ham wrote: post #43
darkengine wrote: post #41

I know it's bad form to move so quickly into meta-discussion on here, but I feel a lot of the comments in the thread right now are endemic of a certain closed-mindedness that has, to me, come to define in part the Hacker News zeitgeist, which stands in something of a contrast to the site's supposed founding principle of intellectual curiosity. There is plenty of prior art in Western (and other traditions of) philosop…

If it does, you will be extremely delighted knowing there is a book by Marcus Aurelius called Meditations. The book withstood the test of time. He has written it clearly and explained his reasons in a proper manner. He was a roman ruler and everything is from that perspective. Most of the people here are probably not making enough money to get by the everyday mundanes of life. So things like self-actualization are fa…

Not offended at all. I do see some Meditations showing through here. There is a lot of wisdom to be found in that work, and plenty of parallels to be drawn to the modern world -- Aurelius was, after all, dealing with the Antonine Plague just before dawn in the decline of the Roman Empire.

My biggest issue with Stoicism is that it is, at its best, basically therapy. Most of the advice in Meditations revolves around putting things into various perspectives that make a challenging situation not feel so bad. This can be quite valuable! However I think there's only so much therapy a person can do before they want to start actively changing their situation. I think the essay wants to go beyond Stoicism, to illustrate a radical path one can take to hopefully alter the circumstance of their existence positively.

I have absolutely no qualms with anyone who takes the "boring" path to provide for themselves or their family (to say otherwise would make me a hypocrite). However I think we tend to vastly overestimate what our needs are. The average yearly median in the US in 2019 was $35,977 according to the Census. This is the median, so 50% of the population lives on less than that! Probably most of the people at that wage want to make more (don't we all?) but I think the author is making the case for giving up on the luxury of tech pay in exchange for finding some actual purpose in our lives. I don't think that's disrespectful, it's just another option.

Re: Quit Your Job

#55

Post by deltree7 »

chana_masala wrote: post #32
deltree7 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Note: Author is a Tall, White, STEM educated dude living in America. So, his experiences is very specific to his skills, his reach and societal perceptions about him. It's like getting dating tips from an attractive person or money advise from a trust fund baby

> So, his experiences is very specific to his skills, his reach and societal perceptions about him. I mean, that part is true for literally everyone?

No. We are talking about thresholds. He has advantages that may be applicable to If a person quit their job being a short, brown, woman and found happiness and people willing to help them, it is more likely to be replicated by a broader population.

It's like an attractive guy giving dating tips

Re: Quit Your Job

#56

Post by [deleted] »

humbleMouse wrote: post #4

This is a very long article, and nowhere in it do I see how this guy supported himself after quitting his engineering job. He talks about a few vague references to situations that may be freelance paid gigs, but no specifics.

[deleted]

Re: Quit Your Job

#57

Post by nzmsv »

So this is the male version of the trophy spouse stereotype. Focuses on lifting and courting, has an education just to check off a box, writes pseudointellectual drivel to pass the time.

Just as likely to be replaced by a fresher model in a few years.

Re: Quit Your Job

#58

Post by taurath »

Letting the fields go fallow to allow for rejuvenation rings like a very apt allegory to me. Breaking routines, finding out who you are outside of work is actually one of the most luxurious things one can do. It’s a great time for healing. But most can’t afford to do this at their lifestyle level.

There’s lots of cognitive dissonance over what makes our lives rich in the tech world.

However there also a lot in the post which seems to hold high minded eruditism as some peak of existence :) still some good point buried.

Re: Quit Your Job

#59

Post by walrus01 »

andreyk wrote: post #27

"Transform your perspective thus: rather than seeing the job as carrying out someone else’s will in exchange for money, see it as itself your sacred cosmic duty. What important task do you do for the project you work for? How does that project fit into creating a more glorious future? How is that future pleasing to God, the proper order of things, and your own felt value instincts? Your wage is just a budget given to…

It's like somebody wanted to write Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, attempting something really deep and profound, and ended up with gibberish.

Re: Quit Your Job

#60

Post by taurath »

codeafin wrote: post #44

Had to double check to make sure it wasn't an Onion article. He certainly has been having a crisis, and as someone else mentioned here, recently read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and tried to mimic the writing. But instead, came across as another stressed, lost mind with their head too buried in social media, thinking they have to be at their absolute highlight of their life at any given moment. I feel sorry for th…

Perfect encapsulation of the critique to the point that this feels like a parody itself.
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