I haven't read the article because I read comments first and the comments are confirming my suspicion that it is mostly nonsense. But I wonder, how does something like this make it to the front page? Are people upvoting it and not leaving comments? Perhaps downvoting of articles should be allowed.
Non-programming skills every programmer should have
21–30 of 49 posts
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#22I'm curious what the author's definition of "spirituality" is if it has nothing to do with religion or a belief in the supernatural. The author mentions meditation, but I don't see any inherent link between meditation and spirituality.
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#23while i don't have a problem with anything here, particularly, these kinds of post (and we seem to get a lot) usually strike me as "a list of good things about me" or "why everyone should be like me". i'm not sure how you avoid that. perhaps it is up to the reader to piece together a more balanced view by reading several.
> these kinds of post (and we seem to get a lot) usually strike me as "a list of good things about me" or "why everyone should be like me".
Yep... That's why the mysteriously named skill, "spiritual" may actually be quite important and why the OP should work on it a bit more. Beginners' minds don't go around dispensing advice. I think that touches lightly on the "social" as well...
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#24It's funny how many programming jobs are designed explicitly to insulate you and not require any of these skills. Just code and let the adults do all the talking.
In many organizations, it's easy to get caught in a catch-22 where to advance, you need nontechnical skills, and to develop nontechnical skills, you need to advance.
For some, this means they get to do what they love without much hassle (see "do you still want to be doing this when you're fifty?"), and for others it feels like being stuck in the mud.
I'd bet a lot of people contemplate doing startups just to get out of the "technical" tarpit more than actual desire to start a business.
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#25"Spiritual - I am still not sure whether I should have included this one or not." And I can see why! There might be a point in this section, but it's tough to find among all the fluff. If you're trying to say that meditation is helpful, that's great, but I don't see why that would be labeled "spiritual". If it's something else, I can't find it.
I'd suggest that "spiritual skills" encompass an understanding that there are connections between ourselves and our surroundings that defy precise, scientific description. Whether that's a feeling of camaraderie with your teammates, or a sense that one's office is warm and inviting or cold and unpleasant, or an immediate response upon meeting someone for the first time that you can trust them implicitly--or that you…
All of those things you mentioned are to a large degree explained by science.
Spirituality appears to require at least some belief in something beyond the material world. There are certainly things that can be taken from spiritual practises that can be useful but in most cases there is an explanation for this value that does not require any belief in the supernatural.
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#26"Spiritual - I am still not sure whether I should have included this one or not." And I can see why! There might be a point in this section, but it's tough to find among all the fluff. If you're trying to say that meditation is helpful, that's great, but I don't see why that would be labeled "spiritual". If it's something else, I can't find it.
I'd suggest that "spiritual skills" encompass an understanding that there are connections between ourselves and our surroundings that defy precise, scientific description. Whether that's a feeling of camaraderie with your teammates, or a sense that one's office is warm and inviting or cold and unpleasant, or an immediate response upon meeting someone for the first time that you can trust them implicitly--or that you…
None of what you describe is what I would categorize as "spiritual".
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#27It's funny how many programming jobs are designed explicitly to insulate you and not require any of these skills. Just code and let the adults do all the talking. In many organizations, it's easy to get caught in a catch-22 where to advance, you need nontechnical skills, and to develop nontechnical skills, you need to advance. For some, this means they get to do what they love without much hassle (see "do you still w…
I've found that even sitting at the kids' table you can make sure people in the rest of the business know that you're not just a code monkey. I try to ask questions, make suggestions, make sure people know me and that I contribute more than just lines of code to the business. Even though I have little desire to move up to the adult table I think it's good for your long-term career to be known as more well-rounded. Plus if the list of layoffs comes around I don't want to be just a name and title to the people above me.
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#28"Spiritual - I am still not sure whether I should have included this one or not." And I can see why! There might be a point in this section, but it's tough to find among all the fluff. If you're trying to say that meditation is helpful, that's great, but I don't see why that would be labeled "spiritual". If it's something else, I can't find it.
The "spiritual" word is often used in non-religious contexts to mean the mastery of the inner world.
Meditation is often used as a way to take control of your thought processes (which are sometimes negative), so that's why it's often classified as a spiritual practice.
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#29A lot of people seem to be offended by this article when I think all the author was trying to say is that opening yourself to other, non-programming related stuff simply helps you become a better programmer as a whole. I honestly don't think he's suggesting you should be a pro at all those other points, just have a fairly good knowledge of them.
I personally find that, on top of the points mentioned in the article, a large number of programmers I've met or have had the chance to interview have a crucial lack of extra-curricular activities. While it's true most can code, a lot less are able to come up with creative solutions on the spot, and I do think this is a skill that stems from looking "beyond the code".
And yes, as some people have mentioned, I also think it applies to other jobs. In fact I think a lot of jobs require very similar skills, it's just the different application of a given mindset.
Re: Non-programming skills every programmer should have
#30"Spiritual - I am still not sure whether I should have included this one or not." And I can see why! There might be a point in this section, but it's tough to find among all the fluff. If you're trying to say that meditation is helpful, that's great, but I don't see why that would be labeled "spiritual". If it's something else, I can't find it.
The "spiritual" word is often used in non-religious contexts to mean the mastery of the inner world. Meditation is often used as a way to take control of your thought processes (which are sometimes negative), so that's why it's often classified as a spiritual practice.
Huh, I don't think I've heard it used like that before, or didn't understand it that way in any case. "Spiritual" to me, being based on "sprit", always has connotations of external supernatural entities.