3 ms·

Am I the only one who's intensely jealous of Linus? I'm 34, I've been coding prolifically since I was 9, and by 20 I was running on fumes. That was probably the

Am I the only one who's intensely jealous of Linus? I'm 34, I've been coding prolifically since I was 9, and by 20 I was running on fumes. That was probably the last time it was any fun. By now it's very hard to sustain anything remotely resembling motivation, especially having been around long enough to have been around the block with a few technology waves. This article, circulated on HN a while back, resonated with me more strongly than anything I've seen here in years: https://frankchimero.com/blog/2018/everything-easy/ https://frankchimero.com/blog/2018/everything-easy/ I'm completely burned out on it all, and I don't even do more than a few hours of coding a week many weeks. Even that takes some serious psychological effort to get into, and some weeks I don't manage it. Honestly, I'd much rather sit in meetings, answer e-mail, and advise others on architecture. I like talking and teaching, and people issues interest me fairly indefatigably. It very well might pay better, too, depending. Alas, I picked a business model that economically rewards me for coding--that other stuff is just non-revenue overhead. I really hope a day comes soon when I can say, "I don't really get involved in code much anymore," before RSI and disinterest foreclose upon the possibility of a life worth living.

unethical_ban 6y ago
Yep, same. I am supposed to be coding and writing Infrastructure as Code for cloud programs, but I find myself wishing I could be in Architecture or Design. I am an excellent facilitator of conversations and problem solving - I would love to "be in the room where it happens" and make sure we as a program have a coherent vision.
- davidw3 6y ago
  In all seriousness -- why can't you move into architecture and design? I know it sounds a little trite, but I've seen many times where people don't do what they want or dream just because they haven't bothered to figure out how to get to their goal or simply because they don't let themselves. I know the world isn't always that simple, but I truly believe it is sometimes (plus some work and planning).
  - unethical_ban 6y ago
    I have only been in my current role for a handful of months, and frankly, I need to put out more work to get the kind of creds I need to command legitimacy in a design role. Before, I spent years as a SME on a different set of technologies - in a non-pandemic world, I may drop back to that world and do consulting. Right now, though, I have a great team, a great manager, and decent pay, so given all the volatility in the world I am taking what I can get until I feel a bit safer moving around.
    - davidw3 6y ago
      That makes sense -- I guessed it more something like this. Thanks for the response.

unethical_ban 6y ago

Yep, same. I am supposed to be coding and writing Infrastructure as Code for cloud programs, but I find myself wishing I could be in Architecture or Design. I am an excellent facilitator of conversations and problem solving - I would love to "be in the room where it happens" and make sure we as a program have a coherent vision.

davidw3 6y ago
In all seriousness -- why can't you move into architecture and design? I know it sounds a little trite, but I've seen many times where people don't do what they want or dream just because they haven't bothered to figure out how to get to their goal or simply because they don't let themselves. I know the world isn't always that simple, but I truly believe it is sometimes (plus some work and planning).
- unethical_ban 6y ago
  I have only been in my current role for a handful of months, and frankly, I need to put out more work to get the kind of creds I need to command legitimacy in a design role. Before, I spent years as a SME on a different set of technologies - in a non-pandemic world, I may drop back to that world and do consulting. Right now, though, I have a great team, a great manager, and decent pay, so given all the volatility in the world I am taking what I can get until I feel a bit safer moving around.
  - davidw3 6y ago
    That makes sense -- I guessed it more something like this. Thanks for the response.