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“Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

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101–110 of 190 posts

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#101
post #22

Yeah, fuck enthusiasm! /s I can understand that we might want to avoid the obsessive behaviors of some developers that could be considered unhealthy, but blaming a simple catch-phrase isn't going to get us anywhere. What if the shirt said, "Coding is rad" ? I say that all the time, and people just give me that look that says, "Ha, what a nerd" and it's fine for me because I can maintain my enthusiasm. Other people ne…

There's a difference between enthusiasm and obsession, and I'm pretty sure there's a difference in how you object to enthusiasm vs. obsession. "John&Paul&George&Ringo." is a great T-shirt. "I spend all day in my bedroom listening to the Beatles" is saying something very different. And if there is a subculture of people who literally do the latter, to the point where it's not obvious that it's hyperbole, it's valid to…

What do you think of the recent spin-offs, like "Larry&Sergey&Eric&Sundar"?

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#102
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I distinctly remember sitting in yet another dull sprint retrospective and thinking, "Boy, I wish I were a firefighter." Granted, that line of work comes with its own drawbacks and I would certainly get bored of it the same way I get bored of software (or else worn out from the demanding physical aspect), but some days I'm surprised to find myself wishing I could "dig ditches out in the sunshine" or something of the…

I have had a literal ditch digging job, and I hated that even more. But I still find myself longing for such a thing. Maybe if I could just have 3-4 days per year? xD

Do you know somebody with a garden? Or maybe there is a community garden nearby?

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#103

Even if you want to eventually you won't be able to code around the clock. I', now 29 but working for startups putting in 8-14 hours a day takes its toll, and now I can't sit at a desk or my acid reflux will kindly tell me to take a walk. That or too much stress is hit, I'm out for the day with chest pains for the next day. Whats worse is you tell this to others and they don't understand because those that have not e…

I understand. You're probably sick of hearing it, but try meditation. Either a few minutes a day, or an app like Headspace, or jump in the deep end with a 10-day retreat, it doesn't really matter. You need to exercise your brains ability to observe without reacting or that ability becomes weakened. It's worth asking why it's so hard for the average person to do something as simple as sit still for 5 minutes. The benefits of practice compound rather quickly.

Personally I found that a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat had huge lasting benefits even after I fell away from a regular practice. To be honest, just preparing for a structured environment where there was no way for me to be reached, and no reading material let alone Internet, was all by itself a revelatory and detoxifying process. The ten hours a day of meditation made it possible to get through it.

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#105
post #97

I'm married and have four kids, though two have now left the nest. When I read this, I think about all the times I set aside my code to do something more important - interact with my kids, nurture my wife, and pursue hobbies outside the technology world (I run, bike and sail). But ... you might be surprised to learn that I love that tee-shirt. I think there are many who are misguided enough to ignore balance in their…

I'm married with a 11 month old son, but definitely identify with this perspective on it. I'd never sideline my family to squeeze in an extra bit of work for the sake of work, but still strongly identify with the passion for technology that got me to where I'm at today. I hope I can raise my son to appreciate an appropriate balance.

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#106

Even if you want to eventually you won't be able to code around the clock. I', now 29 but working for startups putting in 8-14 hours a day takes its toll, and now I can't sit at a desk or my acid reflux will kindly tell me to take a walk. That or too much stress is hit, I'm out for the day with chest pains for the next day. Whats worse is you tell this to others and they don't understand because those that have not e…

Holy shit you need to slow down. Even the corporate lawyers finally backed off from this list lifestyle.

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#107
post #34
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. And you see this pattern used all over the place, for example [1]. It's just a way to say, "I'm, enthusiastic about ____". Fill in the blank with whatever you want. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eat,_Sleep,_Rave,_Repeat

So, that's predated by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eat,_Sleep,_Repeat and I suspect many other things. The saying goes back a long time, and it's not clear when it was first adapted to this usage.

Variants go back to at least 1887: https://books.google.com/books?id=1Vk3AQAAMAAJ&dq=Eat%20Slee... "There was nothing to do now but to eat, sleep, rest, and get ready for another raid on the frontier settlements."

But my guess is it entered popular consciousness with the Lasting Kiss lipstick commercial mentioned in http://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/29/magazine/beauty-lips-that-...: "Put it on. Eat. Work out. Eat. Go to the office. Eat. Sleep with your man. Eat. Repeat the cycle. And guess what? Your lipstick lasts until you take it off. You can kiss those lipsticks stains good-bye!"

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does that matter? I'm sure a "Eat Sleep Hike Repeat" shirt would be produced by a corporation and sold at "hiking conferences".

Again, for the most part, folks aren't out there hiking for a living. Which makes the "hiking conferences" more of a hobbyist convention... outside of people that develop products for hiking. And I'd still recommend those people to hike for enjoyment in their free time and not be out there developing products or trying to sell what their company makes.

I just don't get the distinction.

If I program for a hobby, who are you to say how I should spend my free time?

Yeah, it would be sad to see someone slaving their life away for their company, but I'm not doing that, and I'm not going to hide that I like to program outside of work (and 100% unrelated to work) because some people on the internet say I should...

And I don't think shaming those who program for a hobby is going to stop companies abusing their workers after-hours...

Re: “Eat, sleep, code, repeat” is such bullshit

#110
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the point of money if you have no time to spend it?

You can drive a BMW and wear a Rolex on your way to work and feel better about yourself.

Don't wear a BMW nor a Rolex but I imagine that the novelty and the "feeling good about yourself" caused by the possession of these two items would fade out pretty quickly.
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