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What you are feeling is the exact opposite of hubris. It is good that you feel overwhelmed by looking at the universe of possible technologies and the pace of c

What you are feeling is the exact opposite of hubris. It is good that you feel overwhelmed by looking at the universe of possible technologies and the pace of change within them. It sounds to me like you need to make peace with that, and then decide for yourself where you want to build expertise. You can extreme depth, extreme breadth, or something in between. According to IDC, worldwide IT spending is going to be around $2.5trillion this year. Its a big world with tons of products, disciplines, people, and very little of it is totally static. In fact, large swaths of IT probably get very little mention on HN. To reiterate though, pick your battles, follow your interests/employment possibilities, and make peace with the fact that you can't know everything.

yeswecatan 9y ago
Thanks for that. I have definitely taken the extreme breadth approach (just what my job calls for) which I don't necessarily view as a benefit. I feel like having extensive knowledge in a few different areas is much more beneficial than being a jack of all trades. Maybe just me.
- Tenhundfeld 9y ago
  You are describing an aspect of Impostor Syndrome. It's super common among programmers – and IMO, all people who have a modicum of self-awareness. Just search around, you'll see that feeling overwhelmed puts you in great company. :) https://www.hanselman.com/blog/ImAPhonyAreYou.aspx https://www.hanselman.com/blog/ImAPhonyAreYou.aspx (also talks about Dunning-Kruger effect, which is related) https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/your-money/learning-to-deal-with-the-impostor-syndrome.html?_r=0 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/your-money/learning-to-de... http://www.thebookoflife.org/the-impostor-syndrome/ http://www.thebookoflife.org/the-impostor-syndrome/
jluxenberg 9y ago
You might appreciate Ira Glass's take on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2wLP0izeJE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2wLP0izeJE
marmaduke 9y ago
I think the opposite of hubris is called nemesis, or what happens after hubris. I'd say the OP is describing humility, a quality which is essential imho
- SubiculumCode 9y ago
  adds antonym knower on top of his to do list.
- abakker 9y ago
  I think you may be right, however, Hubris is a "feeling" while nemesis is an "Agent". So, it is possible for you to be my nemesis, but you can't be my hubris. Humility vs Hubris do seem to be opposites.
  - marmaduke 9y ago
    Good point about agent versus feeling. If my Greek friend is a reliable reference, the words originated in Greek mythology wherein a human acting in hubris would be punished by the gods, the punishment was called nemesis.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]

yeswecatan 9y ago

Thanks for that. I have definitely taken the extreme breadth approach (just what my job calls for) which I don't necessarily view as a benefit. I feel like having extensive knowledge in a few different areas is much more beneficial than being a jack of all trades. Maybe just me.

Tenhundfeld 9y ago
You are describing an aspect of Impostor Syndrome. It's super common among programmers – and IMO, all people who have a modicum of self-awareness. Just search around, you'll see that feeling overwhelmed puts you in great company. :) https://www.hanselman.com/blog/ImAPhonyAreYou.aspx https://www.hanselman.com/blog/ImAPhonyAreYou.aspx (also talks about Dunning-Kruger effect, which is related) https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/your-money/learning-to-deal-with-the-impostor-syndrome.html?_r=0 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/your-money/learning-to-de... http://www.thebookoflife.org/the-impostor-syndrome/ http://www.thebookoflife.org/the-impostor-syndrome/

jluxenberg 9y ago

You might appreciate Ira Glass's take on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2wLP0izeJE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2wLP0izeJE

marmaduke 9y ago

I think the opposite of hubris is called nemesis, or what happens after hubris. I'd say the OP is describing humility, a quality which is essential imho

SubiculumCode 9y ago
adds antonym knower on top of his to do list.
abakker 9y ago
I think you may be right, however, Hubris is a "feeling" while nemesis is an "Agent". So, it is possible for you to be my nemesis, but you can't be my hubris. Humility vs Hubris do seem to be opposites.
- marmaduke 9y ago
  Good point about agent versus feeling. If my Greek friend is a reliable reference, the words originated in Greek mythology wherein a human acting in hubris would be punished by the gods, the punishment was called nemesis.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]