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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

#261

Post by bjelkeman-again »

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…

This was essentially the reason is started my own businesses, or co-founded businesses. I was sick of all of the above. Then, eventually I got sick of the whole money grabbing nature the software business. It was just all about making someone else rich quick.

I was going to quit the software business entirely, but a chance meeting led to finding someone who actually cared and wanted to make a difference, as well as being positioned to do so. And we ended up starting Akvo.org, and now all is a hell of a lot better.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#262

Post by ww520 »

michaelochurch wrote: post #149
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…

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 like the idea; however, don't like the relocation. Not that I have anything against a Midwestern town but artificially designating a city to build a "tech hub" has rarely work. Many places have tried but failed. I don't see how it would be different this time. You will get more takers and talents if location is not an issue.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#263

Post by michaelochurch »

ww520 wrote: post #262
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 like the idea; however, don't like the relocation. Not that I have anything against a Midwestern town but artificially designating a city to build a "tech hub" has rarely work. Many places have tried but failed. I don't see how it would be different this time. You will get more takers and talents if location is not an issue.

Location is only an issue if we focus on local govts.

Who else do you see investing in an Autonomy Fund? Once the concept is proven, everyone will want in (and then there will be saturation + a bunch of crappy ones that don't vet and underperform) but I think the first ones are going to be very hard sells. My thought was that local governments' desires to build tech hubs might be used to justify the first Autonomy Fund.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#264

Post by mathattack »

peterkelly wrote: post #178
mathattack wrote: post #155

Is the issue really work-life balance, or mental health? They are actually two separate things. I had a roommate lose it. He was very disciplined, but had a chemical imbalance in his head. He was a hard worker, but did this really have any impact on his losing it? I am not an expert, but I doubt it. The end lesson of "Don't kill yourself for a company if they don't respect you" may be true, but that seems a little di…

Is the issue really work-life balance, or mental health? They are actually two separate things. Perhaps, but I believe there's a close relationship between the two. Getting the balance wrong can definitely lead to mental health problems.

Maybe overwork exacerbates things, but sometimes it's just chemicals wrong in the head. It can be dangerous to treat major mental illness without addressing the biochemistry. In general I am not pro medication, but breakdowns can be deeper than work. Of course an 80 hour work week won't help an already unstable person.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#265

Post by ww520 »

michaelochurch wrote: post #263
ww520 wrote: post #262

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I like the idea; however, don't like the relocation. Not that I have anything against a Midwestern town but artificially designating a city to build a "tech hub" has rarely work. Many places have tried but failed. I don't see how it would be different this time. You will get more takers and talents if location is not an issue.

Location is only an issue if we focus on local govts. Who else do you see investing in an Autonomy Fund? Once the concept is proven, everyone will want in (and then there will be saturation + a bunch of crappy ones that don't vet and underperform) but I think the first ones are going to be very hard sells. My thought was that local governments' desires to build tech hubs might be used to justify the first Autonomy Fu…

The Fed can invest. Federal government has a lot of development grants. The Fed had the stimulus money ready to spend. Lots of them probably had gone to the banks or infrastructure projects to hire bodies off the street but 25M is a rounding error in the scheme of things. It's time for the Fed to invest in hi-tech.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#266

Post by NegativeK »

brokenparser wrote: post #228
NegativeK wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've a friend who was told that he needed to take a vacation. Not in the "You're out of line" sense at all, but in the "We expect our employees to use their vacation time, and you've been working hard lately." He's also been told to cut back on the his hours, as his bosses didn't want him to sacrifice his personal life. Usually when you hear stories like this, it's because the employee is screwing up. In this case, i…

That's just what they told him, they really rather not pay the overtime.

Per federal law (and company practice,) he's overtime exempt.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#267

Post by cpeterso »

eip wrote: post #39

The trick to avoiding complete burnout is easy. First - don't care at all about your job. Remember that all corporations are by definition psychopaths and they will treat you accordingly. Second - never do more then 35% of the work you are capable of doing in a day. Third - if you find yourself getting stressed out tell yourself repeatedly "It's only a stupid job. There is no point in stressing about it."

I wasn't sure whether to vote your comment up or down, but it's definitely thought-provoking (so I gave you an up vote :)

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#268

Post by cpeterso »

svachalek wrote: post #251
dnc wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> First - don't care at all about your job. Maybe it is counter intuitive but I think healthy dose of this keeps me more productive and more focused on the job. While at work I always try to keep somewhere in the back of my mind Bertrand Russell's quote: "One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important". It helps.

Early in my career a more senior developer told me you can't do a good job unless you're willing to get fired for it. Coming from a nouveau middle class background, that was pretty shocking to me but over the years I have seen so many situations that have confirmed it to me.

Saving up a few months of living expenses in a bank account, so called "fuck you" money (or "take this job and shove it" money in polite company), can give you peace of mind about losing your job.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#269

Post by AznHisoka »

UK-AL wrote: post #135
keeptrying wrote: post #113

It's not only programmers. Its managers as well. Its anyone who subsumes their job to be their identity! At my old company (big corporation) management shuffles happen every 9 months to a year. One manager went from having 45 people working under him to 0. The guy had a nervous breakdown as well. I heard he swam in one of our large number of fish tanks. That could be a bad rumor though. Anyway he was admitted and all…

Easier said, then done.

swimming in a fish tank is quite easy.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#270

Post by JanezStupar »

UK-AL wrote: post #203
JanezStupar wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess that you are still a novice. Usually managers did the work of their underlings. However seldomly a competent person gets promoted - as you need someone to do the work. And since the less competent person will be relatively better manager than producer in comparison to the competent person, the less competent guy gets the promotion. I strongly advise everyone to read the Putt's Law, where this phenomena is bro…

"managers did the work of their underlings." - only in very traditional companies that promote on seniority. Its not uncommon for someone straight out of college, working as an "ideas" man to manage programmers.

I apologize. My comment refers to the managers ascended from the developer ranks.

People without technical knowledge in the roles of technical managers are in a league of their own when it comes to suck.

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