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Focus, and persistence can be a double-edged sword. I've seen C and D-level developers create working systems-despite the fact that they are using the wrong to

Focus, and persistence can be a double-edged sword. I've seen C and D-level developers create working systems-despite the fact that they are using the wrong tools, creating un-maintainable code, etc. The key is only letting things go sad far before the right people are brought in to "fix" things.

coldtea 7y ago
If it's stupid and works, it ain't stupid.
- chaboud 7y ago
  That depends on your definition of "works". In a team environment something that is stupid and is barely coughing blood is a tar pit of wasted effort that will ensnare team member after team member, like a repeating land mine. Odd dependencies, bad repeated patterns, and strange process/architectural workarounds will leave a team inefficient, entrenched, and broken. It's why I'd rather have lazy stupid people than energetic stupid people. Energetic stupid people destroy organizational output. Lazy stupid people just keep a chair warm.
  - rzzzt 7y ago
    "I distinguish four types. There are clever, hardworking, stupid, and lazy officers. Usually two characteristics are combined. Some are clever and hardworking; their place is the General Staff. The next ones are stupid and lazy; they make up 90 percent of every army and are suited to routine duties. Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the mental clarity and strength of nerve necessary for difficult decisions. One must beware of anyone who is both stupid and hardworking; he must not be entrusted with any responsibility because he will always only cause damage." https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kurt_von_Hammerstein-Equord https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kurt_von_Hammerstein-Equord
matwood 7y ago
Welcome to how many startups go from 0 -> 1. Whenever I have been the 1+ person, I always keep in mind that the original code was just trying to get the first dollar in the door. Those dollars eventually led to me to have the luxury to be able to come back and fix things.

coldtea 7y ago

If it's stupid and works, it ain't stupid.

chaboud 7y ago
That depends on your definition of "works". In a team environment something that is stupid and is barely coughing blood is a tar pit of wasted effort that will ensnare team member after team member, like a repeating land mine. Odd dependencies, bad repeated patterns, and strange process/architectural workarounds will leave a team inefficient, entrenched, and broken. It's why I'd rather have lazy stupid people than energetic stupid people. Energetic stupid people destroy organizational output. Lazy stupid people just keep a chair warm.
- rzzzt 7y ago
  "I distinguish four types. There are clever, hardworking, stupid, and lazy officers. Usually two characteristics are combined. Some are clever and hardworking; their place is the General Staff. The next ones are stupid and lazy; they make up 90 percent of every army and are suited to routine duties. Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the mental clarity and strength of nerve necessary for difficult decisions. One must beware of anyone who is both stupid and hardworking; he must not be entrusted with any responsibility because he will always only cause damage." https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kurt_von_Hammerstein-Equord https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kurt_von_Hammerstein-Equord

matwood 7y ago

Welcome to how many startups go from 0 -> 1. Whenever I have been the 1+ person, I always keep in mind that the original code was just trying to get the first dollar in the door. Those dollars eventually led to me to have the luxury to be able to come back and fix things.