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You should probably quit your job

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Re: You should probably quit your job

#21

Post by smashing »

Tichy wrote: post #13
AndrewDucker wrote: post #3

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings)…

So your goal in life is essentially to relax?

You come across as judgmental to me. If there were more people who's goal was essentially to relax, how bad would things be?

Re: You should probably quit your job

#22

Post by padolsey »

snowshoveler wrote: post #20

Ambition, entrepreneurialism, etc. They are all diseases… to some extent they are likely genetic; something you’re born with. The writer was born with one of these, or like, diseases or is channeling someone who has been. He is therefore of the mindset that he must make a difference… do something that alters the course of history… make a mark. We cannot blame this person for what they cannot control for they were bor…

I agree with everything you've said but I don't think we can classify it as a disease.

Re: You should probably quit your job

#23

Post by fabjan »

Tichy wrote: post #13
AndrewDucker wrote: post #3

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings)…

So your goal in life is essentially to relax?

Mine is, or I don't really know.

What's the problem?

Re: You should probably quit your job

#24

Post by talkingquickly »

kore wrote: post #18
Mz wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People who feel some overwhelming need to Change The World are basically projecting: Their "world" (internal mental landscape, personal life, whatever) is in desperate need of an overhaul. (Edit: I know because this was me, say, 20 to 30 years ago. Then I fixed my personal crap. I no longer feel like lecturing everyone else about what they "should" be doing.) I won't even read the piece. I skimmed it. This is the clo…

While I agree with some of your sentiments about the author, it feels like you're doing a bit of the same by claiming that everybody who wants to change the world are doing so only because they're projecting. I say so with some defensiveness because one of my greatest goals in life is to do just that, to make a difference, as cliche as it is. And yes, I've quit my old job so I could pursue it. We all look around this…

"Some of us have dreams that can be achieved while working 9-5, that's great, but if you have a dream that's important to you, that requires you to quit, do give it some thought. You only have one life."

I think that pretty much sums it up. I Agree on the preference for "Why I did this" rather than "Why you should" but I'm guessing the author was trying to make the point that there seem to be an awful lot of people who fall into the "I'll pursue my dream sometime" category.

For them - and I assume they are the authors target audience - an article with a title which is a direct call to an action already in the back of their minds, is one they're likely to read. Perhaps a better title would have been "If this describes you, quit your job"...but that isn't quite as good as link bait!

Re: You should probably quit your job

#25

Post by wladimir »

Mz wrote: post #6
AndrewDucker wrote: post #3

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings)…

People who feel some overwhelming need to Change The World are basically projecting: Their "world" (internal mental landscape, personal life, whatever) is in desperate need of an overhaul. (Edit: I know because this was me, say, 20 to 30 years ago. Then I fixed my personal crap. I no longer feel like lecturing everyone else about what they "should" be doing.) I won't even read the piece. I skimmed it. This is the clo…

Right. Most people that have really improved the world have not done so by telling other people what to do, but by doing something themselves.

But I think you're wrong in that everyone that tries to change the world only has personal issues to overcome, and if they do everything is alright. Believing that is pretty much solipsism. Sometimes the world really is wrong and can be fixed.

Re: You should probably quit your job

#28

Post by Tichy »

smashing wrote: post #21
Tichy wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So your goal in life is essentially to relax?

You come across as judgmental to me. If there were more people who's goal was essentially to relax, how bad would things be?

I did not say that relaxing is bad. I just wanted to clarify if that was the ultimate life's goal.

Although I can't help thinking that to be dead would probably be the ultimate relaxation. So if relaxing is your goal, why bother?

Re: You should probably quit your job

#30

Post by Mz »

kore wrote: post #18
Mz wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People who feel some overwhelming need to Change The World are basically projecting: Their "world" (internal mental landscape, personal life, whatever) is in desperate need of an overhaul. (Edit: I know because this was me, say, 20 to 30 years ago. Then I fixed my personal crap. I no longer feel like lecturing everyone else about what they "should" be doing.) I won't even read the piece. I skimmed it. This is the clo…

While I agree with some of your sentiments about the author, it feels like you're doing a bit of the same by claiming that everybody who wants to change the world are doing so only because they're projecting. I say so with some defensiveness because one of my greatest goals in life is to do just that, to make a difference, as cliche as it is. And yes, I've quit my old job so I could pursue it. We all look around this…

I am unfortunately at work. I usually do not log into HN from work. I am doing so as a curtesy to you. Any other replies I might care to make can wait until tonight.

it feels like you're doing a bit of the same by claiming that everybody who wants to change the world are doing so only because they're projecting.

You left out the words "overwhelming need". It speaks of desperation, which is very different from having goals.

All too often in life I've been happy just coasting along, taking the easy road in front of me, pursuing good grades in earnest, working hard, and making a good living at interesting jobs. That brings me no closer to my goals in life though, that's not my dream.

I have never coasted or taken the easy road. I have consistently chosen the hard road. And please note you are stating that your desire to change the world is a personal need, not really for the benefit of the world, but to satisfy a dream. There is nothng wrong with that. Nothing at all. But do keep in mind conflict of interest: If you really, really want to make the world a better place, it helps to take a skeptical eye towards your own motives. Setting aside my ego so I could do something of real note has been one of my biggest challenges in recent years. I would be happy to discuss it more with you, on hn or off, after I am on my own time and not my employers.

Peace.

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