Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#51

Post by Simon_O_Rourke » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 6:58 PM UTC

Somewhat related to your predicament, a good friend of mine was working data entry in Verizon in the early 2010s, and automated his entire job with VBA.

Never told anyone on his team, least of all his manager. Spent a year or so doing no more than 10 minutes work per day. Learned Python and after a year revealed all and left for a better job. Apparently there was chaos afterwards.

So, either tell your direct manager and be up front about it, or say nothing and use the free time to do something useful.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#52

Post by howon92 » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:05 PM UTC

If I were you, I'd find the other similar companies to your workplace and show them your solution. I'd try it with 100 companies and see if any of them find it useful.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#53

Post by dasil003 » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:06 PM UTC

UmYeahNo wrote: post #2

You've discovered the strategy of: Come up with a way to get people laid off so you can monetize a portion of their salaries for yourself. The cynical me says they weren't smart enough to automate away their own work (so they could be assigned more, different work), so eff 'em, right? That is, until someone else automates away your job. The business me says, you found and fixed an inefficiency, so capitalize on it. W…

This is fantastic description of incentives and why technology is neither good nor bad, but provides leverage that can be used in dystopian ways when different forms of power grow unchecked.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#54

Post by treeman79 » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:06 PM UTC

Very Early in my career by bosses job was 90% running reports for others. A solid 7 hours of work each day. She spent 2 weeks teaching me how to build the reports then went on vacation.

When she got back the reports were a 5 minute job.

She proceed to use her now mostly empty day to have teach her to program. Then started taking on more responsibility in the company.

I got a 25% raise.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#55

Post by fatherzine » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:07 PM UTC

Discreetly donate your project to the person you are automating out of a job, and never talk about it again. Let them figure out how to handle the situation.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#56

Post by vincnetas » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:10 PM UTC

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #45

mattnewton wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The cynical me says they weren't smart enough to automate away their own work (so they could be assigned more, different work), so eff 'em, right? That is, until someone else automates away your job. Sort of besides the point but I wish someone _would_ automate my job so I can find even more interesting things to work on; I’m trying and I haven’t figured out how to yet. Yes, this is obviously only a position someon…

I genuinely believe we can make a world where no one is required to work for survival. We could intentionally automate as much as possible while also ensuring that automation is collectively owned. Then we could all collect dividends on our system with ample time off for "what we will" as the activists fighting for the 8 hour work day used to say. I believe strongly that the current economic system is effective prima…

Don't forget to automate defence (yah that one, military), and how to prevent any interested party in controlling that automated defence system.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#57

Post by 5350-uiop-1130 » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:16 PM UTC

ah the sweet naivete of a junior developer

not every problem is your problem.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#58

Post by alexashka » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:17 PM UTC

Imagine having an obese friend and deciding you're going to research obesity, weight loss, etc. How do you expect him/her to react to your 'helpful' advice?

With obesity, you'd only be hurting feelings. With work, you'd be threatening someone's ability to earn a living.

The fact that you're asking this on the internet, instead of a chat with a friend, sibling, parent or mate, means your social situation is not what you'd like it to be. It'd be a very good idea to address that, as soon as possible.

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#59

Post by booleandilemma » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:19 PM UTC

The next thing you should do is watch this scene from HBO's "The Wire" and think about what it means for you:

https://youtu.be/xyg_v7Vxo4A

Re: Ask HN: I automated part of someone else's job in my free time – how to proceed?

#60

Post by fatherzine » Sat, Aug 20, 2022, 7:19 PM UTC

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #45

mattnewton wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The cynical me says they weren't smart enough to automate away their own work (so they could be assigned more, different work), so eff 'em, right? That is, until someone else automates away your job. Sort of besides the point but I wish someone _would_ automate my job so I can find even more interesting things to work on; I’m trying and I haven’t figured out how to yet. Yes, this is obviously only a position someon…

I genuinely believe we can make a world where no one is required to work for survival. We could intentionally automate as much as possible while also ensuring that automation is collectively owned. Then we could all collect dividends on our system with ample time off for "what we will" as the activists fighting for the 8 hour work day used to say. I believe strongly that the current economic system is effective prima…

"no one is required to work for survival"

Sadly, this automates away the #1 source of meaning in one's life. "I made it this far, in spite of all the adversity" is what most decent adults lean into to motivate themselves out of their beds in the morning.