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Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

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Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#291
post #16

I think you're an above average developer working at a below average company. This could be the root of all your problems. Nothing is more frustrating than working with peers you know aren't carrying their weight. Do you want to be an engineering leader? This is what you are, regardless of your official title at your company. Engineering leaders are judged by how much better they make everyone else. You may hear the…

This. The company you work for matters tremendously and it sounds like you’re ready to “level up”.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#293
post #265
post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about behavioural defects. It's that the _code_ is trash. It is unmaintainable and slows down all future changes, exactly because the person who wrote it didn't take the time to think about the future or even good architecture in the present. Every time I touch their code I have to almost redo their work because: - It's impossible to understand what is going on (For example when people load huge json or sql…

I am confused why you are just taking the least charitable assumption based off OP's short post, and writing these long screeds just taking it as given that your assumptions are true.

I think they're just using this as an opportunity to rant about a personal situation.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#295
post #21

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” I know saying this is easier than doing it, but; seek upward movement until you no longer feel like you're the smartest person in the room. I would also add, although it's purely personal opinion, that seeking a solution to loneliness through work is a surefire way to feel more lonely. You say you're big on self-improvement, but are you only focus…

I've thought about this. I actually do not think I'm the smartest person in the room, hell two of the people in my direct team are definitely smarter than me. I think I have really good systems that allow me to consistently solve problems and write code. On the loneliness front, I meant in the scope of working. I have four kids, I am everything BUT lonely with them. However, I do agree that aside from work and one of…

> Nevertheless I feel that if I'm supposed to be working from 8-5 (which 1 hour lunch), I need to actually be working. Maybe it’s my young mentality but, you gotta change this opinion first. If you did enough work in a week to be 40 hours worth then go take time for yourself. Results are more important than hours, give back some hours to yourself and focus on your health and exercise. Go join a fitness class, bike group, running club, something and make friends.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#296
post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about behavioural defects. It's that the _code_ is trash. It is unmaintainable and slows down all future changes, exactly because the person who wrote it didn't take the time to think about the future or even good architecture in the present. Every time I touch their code I have to almost redo their work because: - It's impossible to understand what is going on (For example when people load huge json or sql…

It sounds like you have personal experience in this. I hear you. From what I have observed through code reviews that I, or others, have looked at that doesn't happen with my code unless there is a very fundamental shift. Even then I try to keep my inputs and outputs clean so that pieces can be removed if need be. Of course I am not always as successful as I would like to be. Now my first 2-4 years, that happened a lo…

[deleted]

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#297

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The pivot I have been debating is to become a Lead Development Manager with the express purpose of enabling everyone else, removing obstacles, creating better processes etc. My problem is that I love code much more than talking to people all day. I have been mentoring Jr Devs for a while now in an official capacity which helps. I like the idea of "make systemic changes to help your peers become more effective". So th…

Maybe consider a Staff Engineer type role at an established and well-respected firm? Still mostly IC if you can land the right role, I think, but more focused on the meta stuff that enabled the whole team like tools and automation. Would love input from others as I've not actually worked in such a role before.

This is the same attitude I see on Reddit. Just because someone is a top performer at a no name enterprise corp dev shop doesn’t translate to tech companies and no offense is intended. I spent my entire career until I was 46 two years ago at no name enterprise dev shops.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#298

Change job.

Nah, just tune down your performance. Work on a side-project you like to work on for 50% of the time. You can do so without guilt because you'll still outperform 90% of your peers.

No post body was provided.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#299
Regarding the distribution of commits and story points, I’d bet it follows the zipf principle if you look at the distribution across the team. That may not change anyone’s opinion regarding what is acceptable, but it might bring a little comfort knowing your “performance” fits with the universe’s plan in some unavoidable way.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#300
post #265
post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about behavioural defects. It's that the _code_ is trash. It is unmaintainable and slows down all future changes, exactly because the person who wrote it didn't take the time to think about the future or even good architecture in the present. Every time I touch their code I have to almost redo their work because: - It's impossible to understand what is going on (For example when people load huge json or sql…

I am confused why you are just taking the least charitable assumption based off OP's short post, and writing these long screeds just taking it as given that your assumptions are true.

My personal assumption is that anyone who thinks of themselves as a “10x developer” using the criteria he is using, probably isn’t. He only has 5 years of industry experience and I’m assuming at only one or two companies.
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