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> Hire people who understand the difference between a job and a hobby. This line is critical and I think I disagree with the message. I myself have rarely been

> Hire people who understand the difference between a job and a hobby. This line is critical and I think I disagree with the message. I myself have rarely been paid to code, but still do it in my spare time. So I think I understand what the difference between a job and a hobby is, but at the same time I see how much more productive I get, the closer my work comes to my hobby. Yes, it is important to understand that at work you sometimes have to do things which you aren't doing for the immediate fun. But at the same time the closer the hobbies are to the actual work, the more engaged the employee will be. You might think of it as a symbiosis of trying new things as a hobby and bringing the proven things to work while knowing exactly what you are doing.

Raphmedia 6y ago
However, if you're only there to exercise your hobby and get paid for it, you may get bored by the other parts of the career. Endless meetings, managing the client, managing the budget, thinking about deadlines, training new hires, working with a team, etc., are all part of the job. Yet, they don't involve writing a single line of code. We often see articles on HN of passionate programmers leaving the industry behind. The reason is rarely the code itself.
- arendtio 6y ago
  Actually, I think working with a team is a core factor. If you enjoy working with your team there are a lot of things others can help you out with. However, you are right, many company cultures happen to struggle to offer a place were you enjoy delivering your best. But I think those companies aren't going to be changed by great hackers botton-up but have to be changed by good managers top-down.
cbozeman 6y ago
What this article really says is, "We want the smartest, most obedient workers who will slog through whatever bullshit is required to improve quarterly profits."
- arendtio 6y ago
  This sounds somewhat cynical, but there is certainly some truth to it ;-)

Raphmedia 6y ago

However, if you're only there to exercise your hobby and get paid for it, you may get bored by the other parts of the career. Endless meetings, managing the client, managing the budget, thinking about deadlines, training new hires, working with a team, etc., are all part of the job. Yet, they don't involve writing a single line of code. We often see articles on HN of passionate programmers leaving the industry behind. The reason is rarely the code itself.

arendtio 6y ago
Actually, I think working with a team is a core factor. If you enjoy working with your team there are a lot of things others can help you out with. However, you are right, many company cultures happen to struggle to offer a place were you enjoy delivering your best. But I think those companies aren't going to be changed by great hackers botton-up but have to be changed by good managers top-down.

cbozeman 6y ago

What this article really says is, "We want the smartest, most obedient workers who will slog through whatever bullshit is required to improve quarterly profits."

arendtio 6y ago
This sounds somewhat cynical, but there is certainly some truth to it ;-)