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Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

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Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#41

Post by dartos »

abnercoimbre wrote: post #38
throwaway_0xff wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> What do you not like about tech? I feel that it's no longer about making quality products, but more about milking money by any means, even if immoral and/or obviously (self-)destructive. It may have been like that for some time already, but I wasn't able to realize that before. It seems to me as if we've become the machine that we wanted to build. I would love doing something that's more "down to earth". Optimally,…

> I feel that it's no longer about making quality products, but more about milking money by any means Check out the Handmade online community [0] and/or attend one of our conferences [1] this year. I’m biased because I’m the organizer for the conferences, but we genuinely share your line of thinking. Wouldn’t hurt to congregate with like-minded folks :) [0] https://handmade.network [1] https://handmadecities.com

How are you planning on affecting the industry at large?

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#42

Post by throwaway_0xff »

abnercoimbre wrote: post #38
throwaway_0xff wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> What do you not like about tech? I feel that it's no longer about making quality products, but more about milking money by any means, even if immoral and/or obviously (self-)destructive. It may have been like that for some time already, but I wasn't able to realize that before. It seems to me as if we've become the machine that we wanted to build. I would love doing something that's more "down to earth". Optimally,…

> I feel that it's no longer about making quality products, but more about milking money by any means Check out the Handmade online community [0] and/or attend one of our conferences [1] this year. I’m biased because I’m the organizer for the conferences, but we genuinely share your line of thinking. Wouldn’t hurt to congregate with like-minded folks :) [0] https://handmade.network [1] https://handmadecities.com

[dead]

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#43

Post by abnercoimbre »

dartos wrote: post #41
abnercoimbre wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I feel that it's no longer about making quality products, but more about milking money by any means Check out the Handmade online community [0] and/or attend one of our conferences [1] this year. I’m biased because I’m the organizer for the conferences, but we genuinely share your line of thinking. Wouldn’t hurt to congregate with like-minded folks :) [0] https://handmade.network [1] https://handmadecities.com

How are you planning on affecting the industry at large?

Increasingly bigger conferences and meetups that remain 100% indie and sponsor-free. It’s going to take years, if not a decade.

But let’s not underestimate the power of independent organizing. We haven’t seen much of it in our industry because us worker bees are historically well-paid.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#44

Post by hgs3 »

throwaway_0xff wrote: post #13
nytesky wrote: post #11

What do you not like about tech? I work in gov space sector and while it’s crazy bureaucratic and risk adverse, it’s a fulfilling mission and most people I work with are just excited to be working “in space” like their 12-year old self dreamed of.

> What do you not like about tech? I feel that it's no longer about making quality products, but more about milking money by any means, even if immoral and/or obviously (self-)destructive. It may have been like that for some time already, but I wasn't able to realize that before. It seems to me as if we've become the machine that we wanted to build. I would love doing something that's more "down to earth". Optimally,…

It doesn't sound like you're sick of tech but rather sick of profit-focused leadership corrupting it. I feel the same way so I'm starting my own business with values that matter to me. If starting a business doesn't appeal to you, then try finding a like-minded non-profit or cooperative.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#45

Post by hardlianotion »

iancmceachern wrote: post #26

I'm currently working to do something akin to this. Would love any feedback. I've spent my 20 year career designing hardware for many startups and large companies. Some pretty complex things like Kidney Dialysis machines, surgical robotics and artificial hearts. As a architect, technical leader and having a seemingly "important" role in these things one is not really taken care of in the way one would expect. A lot l…

One of the most interesting people I knew at uni did something like this: open source instrumentation.

https://iorodeo.com/

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#46

Post by tacostakohashi »

jokethrowaway wrote: post #6

Real estate is an option. Buy a house, fix it up, rent it (most likely short term to avoid tenants squatting your house and being protected by the police), sell it. Repeat. If you start a business pick a place where economic prospects look good and the government won't ruin you or kill your market. Eg. I wouldn't start anything in any high tax country in Europe or California

I've done a few flips, and I've found it to be a very satisfying "opposite" of tech work.

All very practical, solving real problems, tangible, working with interesting tradespeople, attorneys, surveyors. There are a few interesting technical aspect to geek out on with legal stuff, codes, heating, plumbing etc.

It's hugely satisfying seeing results of your work, and keeping the rewards, and at the end of the day the sale price or rent speaks for itself. In tech, everything is a matter of opinion, there is so much nonsense about agile and frameworks and tabs vs spaces and whatever else, and at the end of the day the company/shareholders reap the benefits, not you.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#47

Post by throwaway_0xff »

MichaelRo wrote: post #34

>> What's the best way to exit tech? Harakiri!! :)) Otherwise getting serious the best approach would be to take a few alternative jobs part time, just to get a taste of the other side. Stacking shelves at Target. Truck driver, butt in the seat for 12-16 hours (illegal technically but if you don't do it you're out of the job), piss in a bottle, away from home for weeks at end. Sales, not hearing a word of kindness yo…

> Become a hermit and go live in the woods for a while.

That sounds great, but unfortunately, it's not feasible where I live.

> You might be dreaming of grass being greener on the other side but my point is that it's mostly brown. Shitty brown, that is.

Kidding aside, I don't even think there is much grass in most places. Looks more like dirty concrete. Unfortunately, tech seems to be on track of getting there quick as well.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#48

Post by 0x20cowboy »

hgs3 wrote: post #44
throwaway_0xff wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> What do you not like about tech? I feel that it's no longer about making quality products, but more about milking money by any means, even if immoral and/or obviously (self-)destructive. It may have been like that for some time already, but I wasn't able to realize that before. It seems to me as if we've become the machine that we wanted to build. I would love doing something that's more "down to earth". Optimally,…

It doesn't sound like you're sick of tech but rather sick of profit-focused leadership corrupting it. I feel the same way so I'm starting my own business with values that matter to me. If starting a business doesn't appeal to you, then try finding a like-minded non-profit or cooperative.

Not to stop you from trying, I encourage the effort, but I think you’ll find starting your own business will just lead to you to becoming profit-focused - if you like eating and paying rent that is.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#49

Post by icedchai »

rswerve wrote: post #27

Civic tech. Do good work with smart people. Look at 18F, USDS, the Digital Services Coalition consultancies….Some projects are more exciting than others, but these orgs are mission-driven, mostly about improving digital services for Americans.

This sounds good in theory. I’ve tried this with a smaller consultancy. The problem is there’s too much bureaucracy for my tastes, coming from startups. Also I ran into some of the worst code I’ve seen in my life. Maybe I just wound up at the wrong place.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to exit tech?

#50

Post by gndk »

dinkumthinkum wrote: post #14
klntsky wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pro tip: do it in a sane country where occupation is impossible.

There are also states in the US where this nonsense is not a thing.

Could you elaborate? I'm from Europe and did some brief research as this is a new topic for me and it seems all states have squatters rights. Are you referring to those that have the longest time until adverse possession? Easiest eviction? Gun laws to deal with it yourself?
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