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I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

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Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#231

Post by crusso »

UK-AL wrote: post #193
crusso wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reinforces their incorrect belief that it was their skill and not chance that got them ahead If it doesn't take skill to have success in the market, then what's stopping you from being filthy rich? contribute consistent novel and useful ideas Wait, so if the market doesn't know how to properly judge ideas then who is the judge of what's "novel and useful"?

It does take skill, just not technical. Knowing the right people, flirting with tech reporters, being good at PR etc That is what gets you ahead.

It takes a variety of skills. Depending upon the endeavor - sometimes it takes technical skills, sometimes it takes sales skills, sometimes it takes marketing skills, sometimes it just takes the people skills to get to know the right people.

What it takes more than anything is drive. The most successful people out there typically have a tremendous amount of drive to pursue success.

I find that people who disregard skill do so because they have no clue as to why they're unsuccessful. The thing that would hurt their egos worst would be to admit to others and to themselves that they have no skill. The best thing that they could do is to look in the mirror, admit that they're lacking something, and work harder to find it.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#232

Post by michaelochurch »

illsorted wrote: post #181
michaelochurch wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have fought the hydra bravely, and I commend you for that. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. What do you suppose we do? For the long-term, here's the financial structure for the solution that I see: http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/gervais-macle... . Essentially, I think VC-istan and MegaCorps are both dead ends when it comes to genuine technical excellence (whic…

I submit Fargo, ND for your consideration. We have oil money, cheap cost of living, and a decent tech community.

Do you think that:

(a) Fargo's local government would be supportive of a technology Autonomy Fund, and...

(b) it would be possible to get a critical mass of engineers to live there?

Also, what's the gender balance? I'm married so I don't care, but I think we'd have the best odds in a town where it's at least 53:47 women.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#233

Post by stray »

infinite8s wrote: post #217
stray wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who said there wasn't substantial skin in the game? And actually I remember it as 110 hour weeks (though it's possible that I was the slacker of the bunch). Yeah, we had something like 3 months of working 15 to 18 hours per day, 7 days per week. Totally possible. Totally stupid.

Ah ok, that changes the tradeoff a bit. Your response was in a thread talking about lack of ownership so I had assumed that was your case as well.

Nah - just saw a mention of a death-march that so closely matched my most horrendous war story that I thought it must have been made by someone who had been in the trenches with me.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#234

Post by UK-AL »

infinite8s wrote: post #224
UK-AL wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It does take skill, just not technical. Knowing the right people, flirting with tech reporters, being good at PR etc That is what gets you ahead.

Or how about you do a good job providing something people will pay money for. Unfortunately for tech people, what the market will pay money for isn't always what tech people want to build.

This guy in the main article was doing a good job, and look where that got him.

From what I have seen, it isn't the best solution that wins, but the most publicised.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#235

Post by vorvzakone »

at-fates-hands wrote: post #216

I've seen a lot of this over the past two years. I personally have witnessed five guys completely break down. Hell, we just had a manager who was under a lot of pressure last summer for a huge release. He had a complete breakdown and after four months off, he came back, took a demotion, but he's not the same guy anymore. He used to have a really outgoing personality and loved to talk about his band and music. Now he…

"how do we stop this from happening?": Pay employees more, Recognize when engineers are not working and ask them why. This is because of poor management.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#237

Post by falcolas »

michaelochurch wrote: post #232
illsorted wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I submit Fargo, ND for your consideration. We have oil money, cheap cost of living, and a decent tech community.

Do you think that: (a) Fargo's local government would be supportive of a technology Autonomy Fund, and... (b) it would be possible to get a critical mass of engineers to live there? Also, what's the gender balance? I'm married so I don't care, but I think we'd have the best odds in a town where it's at least 53:47 women.

RE: (b)

For myself? Not a chance in hell. Sorry, I lived in Grand Forks for several years, and between the wind, extreme temperature differences, and flooding, you'd not be able to get me to live there. Sure, you could eventually offer enough money, but it wouldn't fit in this plan.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#238

Post by rabbithunterxxl »

mduerksen wrote: post #57

(Generalisation Warning) This is the dark side of the (otherwise desirable) trait of "getting things done" as employee. I you don't actively manage your working hours and hold yourself back , somebody else will suck you out until you have nothing left. At the end, you will be very unsatisfied for some obscure reason: You did everything you was asked for, yet somehow noone appreciates you and you still earn entry-leve…

>> In my opinion, you should only use 80% of your working hours doing the "real stuff". Devote 20% of your working hours to non-technical work, active career development and image management.

You're right, only the percents are inverted. 20% (max!) for the Company and 80% for personal development.

And the 6 points listed by you show me you're either a clueless employee or an unscrupulous Company jockey.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#239

Post by incision »

edw519 wrote: post #84

Although this is an extreme example, I sympathize and often have feelings like this. But it's not about the amount of work; it's about the constant internal struggle. Let me explain. I have never had a problem about the volume or difficulty of work in any job I've ever had. In fact, some of my favorite memories of work have been sprints to finish something, whether in software, retail/distribution, or food service. I…

Bullseye.

I think I've learned to work through this brand of bullshit without being consumed by it, but I've earned myself a pair of golden shackles in the process.

My recent focus has been devising an escape route. I believe it starts with recognizing what's really important in life and learning to want less. I'm not sure where it ends, but it's hard to imagine escaping most of the bullshit while working for anyone else.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#240

Post by ttrreeww »

edw519 wrote: post #84

Although this is an extreme example, I sympathize and often have feelings like this. But it's not about the amount of work; it's about the constant internal struggle. Let me explain. I have never had a problem about the volume or difficulty of work in any job I've ever had. In fact, some of my favorite memories of work have been sprints to finish something, whether in software, retail/distribution, or food service. I…

Don't worry, once I win the lottery, I shall create a paradise for workers.

Until then, hold your breath.

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