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The thing to realize here is that these "legendary developers" grew up in a time where the MOST addicting thing to do was write programs on a screen or read boo

The thing to realize here is that these "legendary developers" grew up in a time where the MOST addicting thing to do was write programs on a screen or read books. There was LITERALLY nothing more exciting to do. No games, no good tv/phones, and no social media. And my theory was (essentially) confirmed when John Carmack tweeted[0] about how he avoids distractions in the present day. So it's safe to assume he would've struggled with distractions just like we did growing up (if said distractions existed at that time). Point being, don't stress too much. We grew up in a different time. At a young age, we just didn't know any better. At least now you are more aware and can make better decisions. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32583257 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32583257

grog454 4y ago
> The thing to realize here is that these "legendary developers" grew up in a time where the MOST addicting thing to do was write programs on a screen or read books. There was LITERALLY nothing more exciting to do. I think its also critical to realize that this is all about frame of mind. Yes, to a select few, there was nothing more exciting to do. To most others at that time, sports or the opposite gender would've been far more exciting. Fortunately, we have at least some control over what we find exciting.
- SuboptimalEng 4y ago
  Sports and dating still exist today, but, both of these combined do not come close to the amount time a kid spends by themselves on a weekly basis. I was a 12 season runner in high school (averaged 30-60 miles per week), but I still had 6-8 hours of free time once I got home from school every night. Now imagine this same high school scenario in 2020 vs 1990. In 1990, no social media, no games, no decent phone (for texting), and no computer (for most people in the world). The only fun thing to do was to literally pick up a book and read it.

grog454 4y ago

> The thing to realize here is that these "legendary developers" grew up in a time where the MOST addicting thing to do was write programs on a screen or read books. There was LITERALLY nothing more exciting to do. I think its also critical to realize that this is all about frame of mind. Yes, to a select few, there was nothing more exciting to do. To most others at that time, sports or the opposite gender would've been far more exciting. Fortunately, we have at least some control over what we find exciting.

SuboptimalEng 4y ago
Sports and dating still exist today, but, both of these combined do not come close to the amount time a kid spends by themselves on a weekly basis. I was a 12 season runner in high school (averaged 30-60 miles per week), but I still had 6-8 hours of free time once I got home from school every night. Now imagine this same high school scenario in 2020 vs 1990. In 1990, no social media, no games, no decent phone (for texting), and no computer (for most people in the world). The only fun thing to do was to literally pick up a book and read it.