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Programmers need to start meditating

jacob.gold

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Re: Programmers need to start meditating

#171

Post by ehnto »

Obscurity4340 wrote: post #139
VorpalWay wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The issue with AI isn't that it can't write embedded code (though it is noticeably worse at it), the issue is specifically with the safety certification of code the AI produced. There is a lot of paper trail to show that you followed all relevant standards, a lot of which pertains to your development process. It is not just what you do or don't do in the code (e.g. MISRA or CERT C) but there is also a lot about how y…

Cant they just implement all the papertrail-generating and checkbox-checking and ass-covering into its instructions or harness?

The AI can't be held liable so it somewhat defeats the purpose of that kind of paper trail and compliance work. If the threat was losing your livelihood and possibly jail time, would you currently be comfortable being held responsible for AI output?

Re: Programmers need to start meditating

#172

Post by ehnto »

pydry wrote: post #159
embedding-shape wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The people I'm talking about literally like coding for the sake of coding (many have shared comments here on HN about it in the past too), which I think is the same group who now are loosing their "passion for software engineering" as the LLM takes over the typing/coding part, but still leaves the design/intention to the human. But yes I agree, one does not equal the other, but if one person has one of those characte…

Weird. Ive seen the exact opposite. The LLM drones talking endlessly how to write fairly basic code using LLMs in a way that is not actually solving problems any quicker or more effectively but is doing it in a way that they see as "more modern". Ironically I don't think software engineering has progressed much at all since vibe coding got fashionable. Real, meaningful engineering advances are being drowned out by th…

The front page of HN has definitely be sparse on actual software accomplishments, it's been a lot of meta-level chatter on AI. Obviously a very important technology, but also just a tool, a means to an end. I am not seeing much progress in other fields making it to HN regardless of what tool they used. I hope it's happening, and just being drowned out.

Re: Programmers need to start meditating

#174

Post by heisnotanalien »

Programming is NOT meditative even the old way. Yes you can get into a flow state but that's not really meditation. In fact you're really just disassociating in a way and is easy to end stuck in your head too much. In fact, without balance, long periods of coding can leave some people feeling mentally over-identified with abstract thinking and less connected to their body or immediate experience.

It is also worth saying that you don't need to sit still to meditate. You can do yoga or go for a walk. Walking meditation is very underrated IMHO.

Re: Programmers need to start meditating

#175

Post by specialist »

sph wrote: post #166
specialist wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We shape the tools that in turn shape us.

True; I have seen the agentic workflow and I would rather not be shaped by it. It looks like absolute hell of constant distraction making it impossible to reach a state of flow.

For me, autocomplete is an unbearable distraction. I never took to pair programming either.

I've bounced off Claude Code (et al) multiple times.

But very recently I've had some successes. With some bulk bug fixes, it felt the same as scripting data quality fix ups. With proof of concepts in mind, tried 3 very different ideas.

Two quickly flamed out, revealing that I needed to chew on those ideas (a lot) more. If we're measuring how to "fail faster", I'd score these as useful efforts.

But one has been a very unexpected delight to work on. Almost addictive, like coding feels when you're in the flow.

Any way. The current mania for coding harnesses is total insanity. Mario of Pi.dev fame is spot on and far more insightful and articulate than me.

Re: Programmers need to start meditating

#176

Post by squidsoup »

wolvoleo wrote: post #81
ifwinterco wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It being boring is part of the point - normally your brain is constantly stimulated so it does indeed feel strange and uncomfortable when that stimulus is taken away. Pushing through that is what leads to progress. Meditation is like physical exercise, it's not exactly "fun" at the time, you sort of have to learn to enjoy it, but it's never easy. Like exercise the real reward is backloaded

This is exactly what the OP and I argue against, people insisting that it must be good for everyone. By the way the 'painful' part does more heaviy lifting there, not the boring. I've really tried a LOT during therapy and in some other situations. And it just doesn't work for me. Same with traditional exercise by the way. I can't do exercise in a gym (too empty) or have those 'gamification' goals, it must be more nat…

The thing about meditation is, if you're doing it, there is no "you" that it is either good or bad for.

Re: Programmers need to start meditating

#178

Post by mikey-wang »

docwirth wrote: post #97

I can’t agree that meditation and flow are very equal. In fact they are rather the opposite: while being in the flow (of programming) means been absorbed by your thoughts and you are most likely not be aware of being aware or or being thinking. In most meditation practices the goal is to be aware of your thoughts and inner processes

Agree, flow state is self-forgetting, and meditation is selflessness.
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