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Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

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Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#141

Post by kross »

jroseattle wrote: post #81

I grew up on a farm. Not surprised to see this decision in the slightest. Farming is tough -- physically, financially, and in the end emotionally. But it is still a very rewarding life. I can remember sitting on my grandfather's lap, riding on his John Deere two-cylinder (it was called a Johnny Popper.) Pre-school? I went to pre-farming. I was probably 3 years old the first time I rode a tractor. By the time I was 8,…

I also spent a good amount of time on the farm. I sit here, a successful tech entrepreneur that now never has to work again after an exit. I achieved my life goals (at least the ones I set in my twenties). I took time off to break the need to work, then once again I'm on a new adventure starting a new tech company. I really enjoy my daily tech challenges, but how many lifetime memories have I made in my tech career? I'm not so sure, but it doesn't compare to my childhood and college years. This article is a good reminder that we need to connect with life.

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#142

Post by blueskin_ »

torrent-of-ions wrote: post #19
_halgari wrote: post #9

It's funny to see this stuff go full-circle. My parents left the city in the early 90's to move to a small WI farm in the middle of nowhere (15min to get to a town of 5000 people). I can see the appeal of a simpler life. But the funny thing is, as a kid, I hated it. My parents got tired of the suburbs, I longed for it. They longed for simplicity, I longed for convenience. I hated the idea of having to drive long dist…

I grew up in the suburbs and hated it. I hated the idea of having to go long distances to get milk and eggs. I'm happy now in a city centre.

I had the same feeling - plus the broadband there was terrible. I would never live in a suburb even if I was paid to. The middle of nowhere though, would be even worse than a suburb as it's the same problems but more so and without the (relative) proximity to work.

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#143

Post by bayonetz »

_halgari wrote: post #9

It's funny to see this stuff go full-circle. My parents left the city in the early 90's to move to a small WI farm in the middle of nowhere (15min to get to a town of 5000 people). I can see the appeal of a simpler life. But the funny thing is, as a kid, I hated it. My parents got tired of the suburbs, I longed for it. They longed for simplicity, I longed for convenience. I hated the idea of having to drive long dist…

I heard a good quote related to full-circleism one time: "What the sons wants to forget, the grandson wants to remember"

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#144

Post by dejv »

Sounds quite like my story: after ten years in industry I've got quite enough, can't really enjoy programming and didn't seen much future in this field for me. So I get back to village I grew up, bought couple of vineyards and started small winery.

I went out nearly every morning to work in fields, spent days in cellar and did just few hours of programming per week to pay my bills. It was great for some time, not having to think about real life outside, being really free to just enjoy pointless discussions in local pub till early in the morning, then spent some time with neighbours just drinking coffee in the morning and gossiping before going out to do some work outside.

I was sure to never work in technology ever again, but I relapsed and here I am back in the city, running company in ag-tech space (lab hw for wine analysis) and coming back to my fields just for weekends (and odd week days here and there) to take care of my vines. I did downsized my plans for mid-sized winery for now and keeping the operation just as a hobby and side business, but I am sure I am going back fulltime once I am done with my company.

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#145

Post by Dangeranger »

My first job at 12 years old was on a farm, I worked on farms until I was 16. This post reminds me of what a demanding, exhausting, yet rewarding experience farming is.

Changing professions to embrace an alternative lifestyle allows you to be enriched more fully, and to gain the perspectives of each lifestyle you experience.

It is my hope that the writer is able to apply the skills gained while writing code to his new occupation and way of life. While I was working on farms my mind was constantly working out how to apply efficiencies and work arounds to common problems. I use those skills now in my day job as a programmer, but the reverse could be applied in similarly effective ways.

Everyone should diversify their experiences. Too often a laser focus for extended periods yields productivity at the expense of flexibility, and eventual burnout. Over specialization can be as dangerous as generalization.

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#146

Post by magice »

You know, farming may be wonderful and all. But it's not silver bullet. Nor does it make programming any less rewarding, provided that one does it right.

In fact, it is YOUR OWN DAMNED fault if you fail to sing with your children while you worked as a programmer. Wait, it's your own damn fault for pretty much everything in your life. Programming is not the disease; you are. I know people who finished extra degrees while working as programmer; I know people who climbs mountains while working as programmer; I know people who play music professionally while working as programmer; I know people who take excellent care of their family while working as a programmer. Your job exchanges (some) of your time for (some) money. The responsibility of adjusting the job to the life lies in your hand. Stop blaming programming for your troubles.

You know, the whole "OMG! I got a new job! It's wonderful! It beats my previous job!" kind of silliness should really really stop. Most things have their rewards and challenges. Maybe farming suits you better. I don't know. However, judging from the kind of stupid judgment thrown around ("real world" and "no exception" and "I sing for my kids), doubt haunts my view. But oh well. Good luck. And stop bashing other people's job, please.

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#148

Post by xkarga00 »

Well, the case with me is exactly the opposite. I come from a family of farmers and since a very very young age I found myself working in the fields and greenhouses, constantly day-dreaming about the time I would make it out of there for good.

Now that finally that time has come, for one thing I'm sure: I'm never going back (or at least I won't go back for a long time to come).

I love "sitting behind a desk and pumping out code", it's way more fun, comfortable, and profitable than digging in the ground, planting tomatoes, or picking gumbos.

edit: I feel that I have to mention my enormous love for nature. There are a lot of ways to be close to it, farming is definitely not the only one.

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#149

Post by xb »

magice wrote: post #146

You know, farming may be wonderful and all. But it's not silver bullet. Nor does it make programming any less rewarding, provided that one does it right. In fact, it is YOUR OWN DAMNED fault if you fail to sing with your children while you worked as a programmer. Wait, it's your own damn fault for pretty much everything in your life. Programming is not the disease; you are. I know people who finished extra degrees wh…

Sitting in my fluorescent lit white walled office, about to pump out some code for the day, this article put a smile on my face and made me think about different options for life some time down the road aside from programming.

The article was well written, wasn't judgemental, and provided some lightness to my day and to others.

Chill out!

Re: Death of a Programmer, Life of a Farmer

#150

Post by mgob »

drzaiusapelord wrote: post #64
mietek wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apparently, it’s not permitted: > In North-American zoning, zones clearly specify which use is allowed on it. In general, zones allow only one or two uses. For example, a residential single-family detached home zone tolerates only single-family detached houses. Don't try to put a convenience store or a school in one, nor a duplex. http://urbankchoze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/japanese-zoning.ht... Previous discussion: ht…

This is purely a suburban problem and typical of the short sightedness of suburban development, which often corrupts the political process because a mandated retail lot is one less high-profit residential home they can't sell. Here in the city, there are shops everywhere. Mix use residential is fairly common with retail on the ground floor and condos/apartments up top. This has created a glut of storefronts with vary…

Those fly-by-night establishments are what keep a neighborhood vibrant at night, though. I understand that's not what everyone is looking for, but all else being equal, a populated neighborhood is safer than an empty one.
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