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I just want to code (2023)

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Re: I just want to code (2023)

#111

Post by PhilipRoman »

nottorp wrote: post #101
Arisaka1 wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I will preface this by saying that, I decided to stop pursuing a job as a software developer because my 2 years of work experience mean nothing in the job market. Now that I ended up finding a job as a waiter (of all things) I finally enjoy learning new things again. Before, I would get chronically stressed researching the job market, gathering keywords from job openings, consuming Udemy courses at 2x speed, using AI…

Related: Historically, most "universal men" that greatly advanced science before the last 1-2 centuries were independently wealthy.

This also depends heavily on the field, some sciences need particle accelerators and mass spectrometers, meanwhile we can get by on a $200 pc and free wifi. This means you can bypass a lot of traditional university/lab structures.

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#112

Post by hombre_fatal »

alkonaut wrote: post #59

Do many people hobby code with that entrepreneur mindset thing? Or sit down to play guitar thinking they want to make a hit and feeling bad if they just noodle some cover songs? What a miserable existence that must be. How do you get that way? Should we blame LinkedIn or what is it?

Seems reasonable that you would struggle with the opportunity cost of your time when you're writing software for fun since you could also be working towards a greater goal of launching something that might make money.

Software is relatively unique because of the multiplying effects of software (without banking on a moonshot) unlike, say, carpentry or strumming a guitar. So the opportunity cost can be even higher.

You should always be cognizant of opportunity costs because they're always in play. And I can see that getting away from people, especially if you haven't already achieved your financial life goals.

I feel similar when I try to play a game in my 30s. It feels like a huge waste of time compared to something that would advance me towards my aspirations. But I think that's just part of being an adult. Just be aware of the trade you're making.

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#113

Post by skor »

I code purely for fun, creating programs that generate and compose music. Sometimes I hit the record button and capture the results.

Here's one of my latest recordings, if anyone's interested: https://lowveld.bandcamp.com/album/etches.

Musically I think this belongs in the underground - and should stay there.

I'm very interested in the theory behind software & music. Over the years I've mostly focused on the engineering side, but maybe one day I'll document and publish more about it too.

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#114

Post by LandR »

Man, I work 8-4 Mon-Fri.

As soon as 4 rolls around, I'm done with the money making portion of the day and the rest is just entirely fun stuff. I couldn't care less if what I'm doing isn't ever going to make money, it's just fun / interesting / satisfying curiosity.

I run - but I know I'm never going to make money running. I climb - but I know I'm never going to make money climbing. I code for fun on my side projects - same deal.

That work mindset gets turned off hard at 4pm.

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#115

Post by foobarian »

milesrout wrote: post #74
Juliate wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> only coding can get paid reasonably If you happen to work for a company that's big enough to pay reasonably. And even that is still a very temporary accident of times. There was a time with plenty (comparatively to today) of tailors, living very reasonably, because there was a demand, and the means. Today, you're lucky if you manage to find one that's in your city, and even more if he/she's not too expensive (that…

I'm not sure that is actually true about tailors. My understanding is that most clothing was homemade. I assume people didnt generally make their own shoes but they made their own textiles and basic garments and most people didnt have many garments. Maybe there is a specific time period you are referring to where this was common but as I understand it, pre-industrially there were very few artisans selling products fo…

Be that as it may, there definitely used to be more tailors.

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#116

Post by flmontpetit »

alganet wrote: post #42

Honestly, the text looks like it was written by someone who does not understand hobbyist programming. It's not fun. The activity is not an enjoyable act of entertainment. It's stressful, time consuming and miserable. The result is what matters. You did something. Learned something. For you, not because it was in some work planning. It provides catharsis. That sort of catharsis does not exist in some work related envi…

I don't find knitting fun, which is why I don't do it. Even if in theory I like the idea of creating custom clothing on the cheap, and whatnot.

Maybe that's what programming is to you.

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#117

Post by spicyusername »

onion2k wrote: post #108
alkonaut wrote: post #59

Do many people hobby code with that entrepreneur mindset thing? Or sit down to play guitar thinking they want to make a hit and feeling bad if they just noodle some cover songs? What a miserable existence that must be. How do you get that way? Should we blame LinkedIn or what is it?

What a miserable existence that must be. This ignores the fact that people are motivated by different things. If you're someone who thrives on the intrinsic 'do this for the love and joy of it' motivation then you should absolutely just write code for the fun of it. But not everyone is like that. Some people need an extrinsic motivator to drive them to do things - that's usually money, or praise, or a punishment for…

I mean... one is definitely better...

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#118

Post by mibsl »

hombre_fatal wrote: post #112
alkonaut wrote: post #59

Do many people hobby code with that entrepreneur mindset thing? Or sit down to play guitar thinking they want to make a hit and feeling bad if they just noodle some cover songs? What a miserable existence that must be. How do you get that way? Should we blame LinkedIn or what is it?

Seems reasonable that you would struggle with the opportunity cost of your time when you're writing software for fun since you could also be working towards a greater goal of launching something that might make money. Software is relatively unique because of the multiplying effects of software (without banking on a moonshot) unlike, say, carpentry or strumming a guitar. So the opportunity cost can be even higher. You…

Being always cognizant of opportunity costs also has an opportunity cost in terms of mental health and life satisfaction.

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#119

Post by dripdry45 »

LandR wrote: post #114

Man, I work 8-4 Mon-Fri. As soon as 4 rolls around, I'm done with the money making portion of the day and the rest is just entirely fun stuff. I couldn't care less if what I'm doing isn't ever going to make money, it's just fun / interesting / satisfying curiosity. I run - but I know I'm never going to make money running. I climb - but I know I'm never going to make money climbing. I code for fun on my side projects…

Fellow climber/coder... Where you climbing these days?

Re: I just want to code (2023)

#120

Post by 9rx »

milesrout wrote: post #74
Juliate wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> only coding can get paid reasonably If you happen to work for a company that's big enough to pay reasonably. And even that is still a very temporary accident of times. There was a time with plenty (comparatively to today) of tailors, living very reasonably, because there was a demand, and the means. Today, you're lucky if you manage to find one that's in your city, and even more if he/she's not too expensive (that…

I'm not sure that is actually true about tailors. My understanding is that most clothing was homemade. I assume people didnt generally make their own shoes but they made their own textiles and basic garments and most people didnt have many garments. Maybe there is a specific time period you are referring to where this was common but as I understand it, pre-industrially there were very few artisans selling products fo…

Presumably he is referring to the industrialization period when suits were the everyday fashion. Once we moved on to baggy jeans and sweatpants, where the fit doesn't matter much, then the tailor was no longer relevant.
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