Busyness is Not a Virtue • Hacker News Board

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#11

Post by rayiner » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 3:07 PM UTC

rquantz wrote: post #9

There have been a few articles recently complaining about people who complain about being busy. They offer the keys to unlocking what people really mean when they say they're busy, usually that they're super-important. There is another thing that "I've been really busy" means: I'm sorry. I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch. I'm sorry I missed your concert/art show/party. I'm sorry I've been mentally absent, unfocused,…

Recently, I've taken to just saying this directly. "OMG I'm so sorry X that I haven't called in like months. I'm a total asshole and a terrible friend. Lunch next week?"

"I'm busy" just sounds like "I have more important things than you."

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#12

Post by raju » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 3:13 PM UTC

louischatriot wrote: post #3

I completely agree. A few months ago, I switched from being ultra busy on my company to taking some time to do what I really enjoy. As a result, I actually get more done now than before. The article is well written, you should read it. Here is a tldr if you don't have the time though: http://tldr.io/tldrs/51680e1bc2bdcc645c000169/busyness-is-no...

"Here is a tldr if you don't have the time though" - Nice. I see what you did there.

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#13

Post by hashmymustache » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 3:16 PM UTC

While I agree that saying "I'm busy" can come off as "I'm super important," I often use it as fill in for "I want to be alone with my thoughts." Often that helps me feel more joy and mindfulness in my work because my focus isn't as splintered. But I also procrastinate heavily, usually depends on the type of work and how interested I am in it. The interplay between mood, goals, self-control, work ethic, passion, etc is complicated. Things like this, breaking down tasks and reorienting them sounds incredibly beneficial, I'm just too busy to start.

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#14

Post by TeMPOraL » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 3:35 PM UTC

klrr wrote: post #4

My mom always going around telling how busy she is, just annoying as hell...

Mothers, especially those of young children, tend to be legitimaly, significantly busier than most of the other people.

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#15

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 3:37 PM UTC

rayiner wrote: post #11

rquantz wrote: post #9

There have been a few articles recently complaining about people who complain about being busy. They offer the keys to unlocking what people really mean when they say they're busy, usually that they're super-important. There is another thing that "I've been really busy" means: I'm sorry. I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch. I'm sorry I missed your concert/art show/party. I'm sorry I've been mentally absent, unfocused,…

Recently, I've taken to just saying this directly. "OMG I'm so sorry X that I haven't called in like months. I'm a total asshole and a terrible friend. Lunch next week?" "I'm busy" just sounds like "I have more important things than you."

[deleted]

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#16

Post by flyinRyan » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 3:38 PM UTC

Aykroyd wrote: post #8

InclinedPlane wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's funny, many coders are smart enough to figure out that the solution to an O(n^2) algorithm is typically not more CPU cycles but changing to an O(n*log n) algorithm (or what-have-you). Yet they often refuse to make the same observations when it comes to their own productivity, they just throw more cycles at the same algorithms and expect that to be the optimal solution.

I wonder about that kind of argument. I find it super appealing because I would love to work a lot less and yet get more done. Unfortunately I've found that if I work more, I do get more done. Granted, there's a time for stepping back and thinking about a problem rather than continuing to brute force your way through it. And you can get to a point where you spin your wheels and it's better to stop. But generally, mor…

Software development is a created process, like writing fiction. Imagine a fiction writer doing a 60 hour (or hell, even a 40 hour) work week to try and get more work done. It just won't work, certainly not long term.

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#17

Post by lnanek2 » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 3:56 PM UTC

> If you only do the easy and useless jobs, you’ll never have to worry about the important ones which are so difficult.

This is the toughest form of procrastination to avoid. E.g. it's easy to just fill your day with things like reading news and doing email, but the coding isn't going to get done that way.

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#18

Post by euroclydon » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 4:24 PM UTC

I don't know why this should come as news to anyone here. It falls under the general category of: If you don't want to come across as a self-absorbed prick, give people your full attention. We've heard about Bill Clinton, that when he spoke to someone, he made them feel like they were the only person in the world at that moment.

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#19

Post by realrocker » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 4:34 PM UTC

I use the "I am busy" phrase to make boring people go away without being too offensive.

Re: Busyness is Not a Virtue

#20

Post by swayvil » Fri, Apr 12, 2013, 4:49 PM UTC

"How are you doing?" - "Keeping Busy"

It's an answer for original sin or low self-esteem or something; or fta : guilt. By default, I suck. But if I'm busy then you can't yell at me for doing nothing to alleviate my sucky effect upon the world, because I'm busy after all.

A busy person is worthy of existence. Call them a disgusting , lazy, stupid, stinky bum guilty of a thousand shameful sins - but at least they're busy.