4 ms·

+1 That's a strange feeling, huh? It's similar to how we always want more (money, vacation, etc.) in life, but when we get there we just want more again. I've

+1 That's a strange feeling, huh? It's similar to how we always want more (money, vacation, etc.) in life, but when we get there we just want more again. I've had the thought about Consolas many times; "Why do I keep looking for a new one when I like Consolas?". I think the answer is that we always seek novelty, because that drives evolution.

MichaelGG 11y ago
A change in environment boosts productivity, doesn't it? I read somewhere, maybe in Peopleware, that in a lighting study, they found any change (brighter, darker) to a workplace imported productivity. The idea being that it was just the change, not really mattering what was changed. Perhaps it reflects poorly on me, but I love novelty. Different places, new software, new languages (or improved features) - it's great. I'll get a huge boost working on a shitty desk in a cold hotel, for a week. I started learning Ruby, and while I find it revolting in a way (it's like the opposite of elegance), I'm enjoying learning it. This must be a well known effect, as MS seems to make small but very noticeable cosmetic changes to their UIs. I feel ... something when using the older version. Something slightly beneath my conscious perception, something that changes and feels fresh when I upgrade. (Similar but not quite the same thing when I use a shitty cross platform UI that doesn't get things quite right.) I should probably collect a few good fonts and color schemes and rotate them automatically. And you know, it doesn't really matter when working. But the novelty is very useful to get me going. Once I'm rolling on a project, I can be in any broken environment and stay in the flow.
- mangeletti 11y ago
  I could not agree more with almost everything you just said, even the Ruby bit (did the same thing, even bought a book, though I gave up a little prematurely). The only time seeking novelty hurts me is with side projects. As soon as I get used to the project I lose site of the bigger goal, and then I just want to start a fresh, new side project.
- brazzledazzle 11y ago
  What language would you say has elegance? I'm thinking about learning a new language.
  - tomsmeding 11y ago
    Haskell has elegance. Quite a different kind of language if you're not used to it, though. I found it a pleasure to learn a bit of Haskell.

MichaelGG 11y ago

A change in environment boosts productivity, doesn't it? I read somewhere, maybe in Peopleware, that in a lighting study, they found any change (brighter, darker) to a workplace imported productivity. The idea being that it was just the change, not really mattering what was changed. Perhaps it reflects poorly on me, but I love novelty. Different places, new software, new languages (or improved features) - it's great. I'll get a huge boost working on a shitty desk in a cold hotel, for a week. I started learning Ruby, and while I find it revolting in a way (it's like the opposite of elegance), I'm enjoying learning it. This must be a well known effect, as MS seems to make small but very noticeable cosmetic changes to their UIs. I feel ... something when using the older version. Something slightly beneath my conscious perception, something that changes and feels fresh when I upgrade. (Similar but not quite the same thing when I use a shitty cross platform UI that doesn't get things quite right.) I should probably collect a few good fonts and color schemes and rotate them automatically. And you know, it doesn't really matter when working. But the novelty is very useful to get me going. Once I'm rolling on a project, I can be in any broken environment and stay in the flow.

mangeletti 11y ago
I could not agree more with almost everything you just said, even the Ruby bit (did the same thing, even bought a book, though I gave up a little prematurely). The only time seeking novelty hurts me is with side projects. As soon as I get used to the project I lose site of the bigger goal, and then I just want to start a fresh, new side project.
brazzledazzle 11y ago
What language would you say has elegance? I'm thinking about learning a new language.
- tomsmeding 11y ago
  Haskell has elegance. Quite a different kind of language if you're not used to it, though. I found it a pleasure to learn a bit of Haskell.