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Code sober, get things done drunk

alexmuir.com

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Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#51

Post by X-Istence »

calloc wrote: post #3

I have personally programmed a lot while tipsy (never drunk, I am not sure I would want to read that code in the morning) and it allows me to get over the humps of writing that utility function that needed to be written but I was putting off, it allows me to just start putting code down in vim without really worrying whether or not it is good enough... Let me quantify good enough a little better. I am a perfectionist…

This is exactly my experience. Although I can get into the same sort of state by simply being tired and being ready to go to bed. Just wanting to get something done before going to bed removes a lot of what-ifs in my decision making process.

Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#52

Post by X-Istence »

phzbOx wrote: post #11

I used to say: "There's nothing wrong about coding while being drunk, just don't commit!". But now, it'd be more "There's nothing wrong about coding AND commiting while being drunk, just don't push it!"

You can push. I do. It just goes up to the server into my personal "clone" of the actual project. The Ci server can then pick it up, run it's thing and I can see output from that and then decide whether or not I want to file a merge-request into mainline.

Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#53

Post by X-Istence »

itmag wrote: post #14

Well I'm drinking Absolut Vodka right now, but that's just 'cause I'm hung over. Writing code is the farthest thing from my mind right now... Seriously though, let's start a discussion about better coding through chemistry in general. Nicotine patches? Smart/nootropic drugs? Supplements? Preferred caffeine delivery vectors? Etc. What works for you? Anyone tried Modafinil?

I stopped drinking caffeine because it was having a huge negative effect on my brain and thought processes, it made me highly irritable and a very unlikeable person.

Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#54

Post by pharrington »

tree_of_item wrote: post #26

"We Brits believe that alcohol has magical powers – that it causes us to shed our inhibitions and become aggressive, promiscuous, disorderly and even violent. But we are wrong. In high doses, alcohol impairs our reaction times, muscle control, co-ordination, short-term memory, perceptual field, cognitive abilities and ability to speak clearly. But it does not cause us selectively to break specific social rules. It do…

The author of the article you're quoting:

"Kate Fox is a social anthropologist and director of the Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC)"

The SIRC is a well known PR front group for Britain's alcohol industry. I'd like to see the actual studies she's referencing so I can say more than just "this is thinly veiled propaganda."

e: talkingquickly's rebuttal is more substantial

Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#56

Post by bascule »

calloc wrote: post #3

I have personally programmed a lot while tipsy (never drunk, I am not sure I would want to read that code in the morning) and it allows me to get over the humps of writing that utility function that needed to be written but I was putting off, it allows me to just start putting code down in vim without really worrying whether or not it is good enough... Let me quantify good enough a little better. I am a perfectionist…

For me the desire towards absolute perfectionism has passed regardless of my level of intoxication, but I agree with your sentiment in general.

I code best when I'm relaxed. Alcohol helps me relax.

Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#57

Post by mmaunder »

My first thought is that you're opening yourself up to litigation. I drink wine and occasionally code with a glass of wine - the easy stuff, and I only commit the next morning. However, making strategic decisions, dealing with human issues and sending external communications is a bad idea.

Someone I'm close is a former CEO and majority shareholder of business that generated 8 figure yearly revenue. His advice to me was to "never hit the send button until the next morning". I'm inclined to give you the same advice.

Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and your sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others. It's a wonderful social lubricant but it also leaves you occasionally cringing the next morning as you remember what you said. Usually there's no record of it other than fading memory. Emails are on the record, so you may be cringing for a long time if you get it wrong and it could be expensive.

Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#59

Post by sdfsdf22 »

burgerbrain wrote: post #39
Duff wrote: post #34

Sounds to me like a recipe for a bad habit. If you have a problem doing "awkward" things like firing people, paying bills, etc, you need to figure out the root of your anxiety and deal with it. If numbing yourself with alcohol is how you get through, you may find yourself turning to the bottle more. Alcohol isn't tea or coffee, and boorish behavior isn't a measure of whether alcohol is affecting your life.

Why does "having difficulties firing people" have to have a "root cause" other than "you think of yourself as a fairly decent guy and understand the effects getting fired has on somebody" ? This is just pop psychology mumbo jumbo.

It isn't.

To rephrase what he's saying: "If you have trouble handling awkward things sober, work on overcoming that difficulty. Having a drink to solve your problems leads to alcoholism, and alcoholism is a much worse problem."

Re: Code sober, get things done drunk

#60

Post by pjscott »

cschmidt wrote: post #36
itmag wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not even stuff like fish oil, vitamin D, piracetam, gingko, stuff like that?

Well, many people (including me) are low in vitamin D, because we spend so much time indoors. My dermatologist said (only partially joking) that if you're aren't deficient in vitamin D, you're not using enough sunscreen.

If you're deficient in vitamin D, and you know it, then why not take vitamin D pills? They're cheap, they're small, and having micronutrient deficiencies is not cool.
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