https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshit_Jobs the theory is not without flaws but it seems relevant to the topic and conversation
The glaring flaw in the theory is that it hypothesizes that jobs are pointless, but in fact they do have a point: Companionship. There are always exceptions, but overwhelmingly those with resources don't like being alone and without social standing and so they use their resources to buy friends, so to speak.
What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
181–190 of 1001 posts
Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#182Earlier quoted context omitted.
A quarter of Americans (and 40% of young Americans) see Mangione favourably, so it definitely is a society thing. https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/51189-presidential-pardons...
Be attractive Don't be unattractive
Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#183Because we see what's coming? Because we watched our careers go from being in service of an industry of tinkerers and designers, to being in service of the worst people attempting to maximize wealth extraction no matter the human cost? Because Snow Crash wasn't supposed to be the goal? Because our daily complicity in what's happening is also a daily reminder that we're not brave enough to be a Mangione? Take your pic…
As a mid-career software dev I'm just sick of most of my job being a highly paid technical janitor mopping a floor that never gets clean. I've had maybe 2-3 years combined where I actually got to build something I could be proud of, and made all the red tape worth it. The rest has been navigating/paying down other peoples' technical debt and being forced to add some of my own when there's no budget for maintenance an…
Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#184Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have been in tech for the tech for over 20 years now, heck over 30 years as a hobbyist. I have lost almost all interest in it these days. It feels increasingly meaningless, and actively harmful. I know it is my own fault for neglecting my health and relationships, but I can't help but feel this career makes the most important things more difficult.
The burnout is a separate topic, and it was always difficult to balance in this specific industry. All these "Working in IT isn't stressful at all - John 25yo" memes didn't come come from nothing. But I wouldn't really put it on LLMs/AI. It was always like this. Jokes about how hopeless development cycle is, and how everybody have impostor syndrome etc.
Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#186Because we see what's coming? Because we watched our careers go from being in service of an industry of tinkerers and designers, to being in service of the worst people attempting to maximize wealth extraction no matter the human cost? Because Snow Crash wasn't supposed to be the goal? Because our daily complicity in what's happening is also a daily reminder that we're not brave enough to be a Mangione? Take your pic…
At no point in history was it ever thus.
Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#187Earlier quoted context omitted.
Mangione is a murderer but that "innocent man" he killed was not innocent at all, he indeed was a murderer too. The only difference between then is they used different tools. No... Mangione murdered one, the other guy killed much more.
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Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#188I'm not sad. As an engineer with decades of experience under my belt, I'm really excited about how AI can democratize software and help me finally complete long-simmering side projects, create value for the greater good, and be a generally fun thing. So far, I have not found myself even remotely replaced by AI at work.
I have never been happier. I flipping love AI. This is literally what I dreamed about as a kid. I feel like we might get to witness the singularity, and that's exciting. To live and die under cellphone incrementalism is what's depressing. I hated where we were. I love where we're going.
I've used AI/LLMs to create tools for myself, which otherwise would have not been created. That's good. But I also know people that are terrible at detecting AI content... it's only a matter of time until a couple of fake videos trigger a mob and something bad happens.
I think that's where some of the negativity comes from. Yes, AI can do nice things, but it's not all good.
Re: What happens if an entire class of workers loses faith in their careers
#189Earlier quoted context omitted.
A quarter of Americans (and 40% of young Americans) see Mangione favourably, so it definitely is a society thing. https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/51189-presidential-pardons...
Be attractive Don't be unattractive
it's cuz the guy is hot. that's gotta be it.
not how the main source of bankruptcy in the US is related to medical bills.
it's cuz he's hot.