Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#1

Post by amichail » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 12:25 AM UTC

For example, you might find it difficult to write/speak since you want to be as truthful as possible.

But communication that is flawless in a truth telling sense is hard. For example, get one verb tense slightly wrong and your sentence could be slightly misleading.

Moreover, people sometimes sacrifice flawless truth for simplicity.

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#2

Post by lux » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 12:50 AM UTC

I'm not sure about a need for "flawless truth" but after being immersed in code for hours I do have trouble socializing and being on a less intense level with people. I find I'm inclined to be more introverted unless I've had time to unwind, or to want to discuss topics with more detail, stuff that's better discussed one-on-one than in groups.

But the same can be true if I'm deep into writing a new song as well, so maybe it's a problem moving from the specific to the general without time to switch modes?

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#3

Post by tokenadult » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 12:53 AM UTC

It's possible that some forms of programming education--I don't say all forms--lead people to simply disregard issues of quality applicable to other domains. "If it compiles, it's okay" is not a sufficient basis for saying that an argument about public policy, for example, is valid. I think I see quite a few examples of invalid reasoning about value-laden factual matters with policy implications in online discussion, perhaps precisely because people with programming educations were early adopters of online technology, and sometimes set the tone for how online discussion is conducted.

Perhaps there are examples both of your concern and of mine here on HN.

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#4

Post by intellectronica » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 1:01 AM UTC

If you're prone to becoming paralysed with perfectionism, you're likely to suffer in your programming at least as much as in other aspects of life.

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#5

Post by apotheon » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 1:17 AM UTC

I try to equivocate intelligently, in an attempt to be more precise and accurate in what I say. I end up equivocating a lot. It works well for me, though of course I only get to experience it (and judge it) from the "inside".

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#6

Post by dkarl » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 1:43 AM UTC

intellectronica wrote: post #4

If you're prone to becoming paralysed with perfectionism, you're likely to suffer in your programming at least as much as in other aspects of life.

Except that in your first couple of years of programming, before you start worrying about maintenance, users, and other developers, "working" is about as "perfect" as you care to get.

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#7

Post by scott_s » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 1:56 AM UTC

What is your obsession with programming and the notion that it encourages "paralyzing perfectionism"? See http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=567827.

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#8

Post by JoshCole » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 2:06 AM UTC

This gets even more complicated when I realize that the meaning of a word rests within people which means even something perfectly accurate to me could be inaccurate to someone else.

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#9

Post by jonny_noog » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 2:10 AM UTC

lux wrote: post #2

I'm not sure about a need for "flawless truth" but after being immersed in code for hours I do have trouble socializing and being on a less intense level with people. I find I'm inclined to be more introverted unless I've had time to unwind, or to want to discuss topics with more detail, stuff that's better discussed one-on-one than in groups. But the same can be true if I'm deep into writing a new song as well, so m…

... after being immersed in code for hours I do have trouble socializing and being on a less intense level with people.

I have noticed this too. Though I've never really been that sociable a person to begin with, maybe that makes a difference. But for whatever reason, my "coding mode" does not seem to play well with my "social mode".

Re: Does programming lead to paralyzing perfectionism in other aspects of life?

#10

Post by asdlfj2sd33 » Mon, Aug 24, 2009, 2:22 AM UTC

jonny_noog wrote: post #9

lux wrote: post #2

I'm not sure about a need for "flawless truth" but after being immersed in code for hours I do have trouble socializing and being on a less intense level with people. I find I'm inclined to be more introverted unless I've had time to unwind, or to want to discuss topics with more detail, stuff that's better discussed one-on-one than in groups. But the same can be true if I'm deep into writing a new song as well, so m…

... after being immersed in code for hours I do have trouble socializing and being on a less intense level with people. I have noticed this too. Though I've never really been that sociable a person to begin with, maybe that makes a difference. But for whatever reason, my "coding mode" does not seem to play well with my "social mode".

Yep, same here. It's like it takes time for my brain to switch gears.