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I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

ryanleecarson.tumblr.com

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Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#21

Post by ryancarson »

amirmc wrote: post #16
ryancarson wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand that. It doesn't mean they're not being used though. If you want to build something, it's much better to get your friends together for a private session, then something put on by an events company or an incubator. As someone who used to put on events, I can speak with authority on motives: most Hackathons are just an attempt to sell more tickets to an event - not a genuine opportunity for Developers to b…

I'm confused. Do people pay to attend hackathons? I can understand a contribution to costs (ie for pizza etc) if there are no sponsors but paying seems odd. I've run one hackathon myself and it most of the feedback I got was quite positive. Off the top of my head, the things that people liked were; the chance to meet/work with new folks in a low-risk way, to try out some new tech/language/framework that they'd never…

Event organizers often attach a hackathon to their show in order to sell more tickets.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#22

Post by koide »

ryancarson wrote: post #4
tzaman wrote: post #2

You have a point, but doing it every once in a while doesn't hurt (I do it once or twice per year), since it's a great way to meet new people (and opportunities)

I still would steer clear of things like TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathons and the like. They're just a way for media orgs to get page views and generate buzz. Yes, a couple folks at those kind of events get a lot of press and attention, but everyone else just wastes their time.

They don't even meet interesting people/new opportunities?

I truly have no idea, I live far, far away from the valley in a different world.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#23

Post by olivercameron »

I'm not entirely sure what hackathons Ryan Carson has been to, but this post is seriously misguided.

Developers don't go to hackathons to be "code monkeys", rather they go to build something cool in a fun environment. It's often a great break outside of the day job to build something they would otherwise not have the motivation to. No one is stealing their concept or forcing them to take it further, it's just fun.

As for hacker mansions, people like to live with like-minded folk and code. What's wrong with that? I fail to see how people are being exploited here. Perhaps some examples would help.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#24

Post by tzaman »

ryancarson wrote: post #4
tzaman wrote: post #2

You have a point, but doing it every once in a while doesn't hurt (I do it once or twice per year), since it's a great way to meet new people (and opportunities)

I still would steer clear of things like TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathons and the like. They're just a way for media orgs to get page views and generate buzz. Yes, a couple folks at those kind of events get a lot of press and attention, but everyone else just wastes their time.

You are right - I'm not that familiar with the US scene, being from Slovenia (EU). My last hackaton was Copenhagen Startup Weekend, which I think is a similar event, since I "had" to code A LOT :) The good thing the emphasis was not on media/buzz, but connecting people (I guess that's why it was at Nokia HQ in Denmark :).

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#25

Post by reledi »

> It’s a joke and I’m tired of it. Developers aren’t monkeys in a cage who can’t wait to do the next “hackathon”. They’ve got families, bills to pay and every other pressure that normal people do. They don’t want to drink Red Bull all night and sleep under their desks.

Except I do want to do those things, and many others do as well. Not all developers have families or lots of bills to pay. Even those with lots of responsibilities enjoy the occasional hackathon.

If they don't appeal to you, don't go to them, but don't pass it off as a joke because there are many people that really do enjoy hackathons and get some value out of them.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#26

Post by akkartik »

I wish we had more hackathons. Working intensely together is the best way for both sides to gauge each other. I consider myself a crusty old codger, and I'm tired of shotgun hirings where you are expected to work together like gangbusters after just an interview together.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#27

Post by wfrick »

A lot of bitterness on behalf of the author against, essentially, people who don't have kids and choose to spend more of their time coding. Sure we don't want to drive people over the edge by encouraging everyone everywhere to work all the time, but this post makes it seem like anyone who makes different life choices than the author (not having a family) is somehow just getting swindled.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#28

Post by Jach »

jpdoctor wrote: post #10

> They’re probably just trying to cash in on your youth and optimism. It is the nature of optimistic youth that they rarely notice. And when they do, they quickly become old codgers (like the person typing this comment.)

I don't think you're giving enough credit to the optimistic youth! They notice all right, most of them just don't care enough because all they really want to do is programming, motherfucker. After X years in the industry their passion might fade (and possibly their skill if they stop coding altogether), but it's not naïvety that gives rise to the occasional optimistic youth who gets screwed.
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