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It depends what you want to do. If you want to work on problems that we know how to solve and that we have solved many times, then the npm xenobiology skill set
by inimino 4y ago
It depends what you want to do. If you want to work on problems that we know how to solve and that we have solved many times, then the npm xenobiology skill set is sufficient; if you want to do things we haven't done and don't know how to do, it isn't. I've acquired knowledge by poking at libraries and databases and OSes, and those are sunk costs. Apart from the instrumental value at the time, most such knowledge has had no lasting or further use to me. I've acquired other knowledge and skills from books including SICP, and those have continued to pay lifelong dividends with compounding interest over decades.
- kilgnad 4y agoDomain knowledge can shift but not always. npm and javascript are around to stay. Same with most of the linux API. It is true that the fundamentals that SICP teaches will be around forever, but the fact of the matter is, if I'm an employer I'd rather hire a specialist in some arbitrary ephemeral domain relevant to my business then to hire someone who is a generalist.
- inimino 4y agoYou're in good company, that's an extremely popular perspective. Those of use who are more generalist often have to find our own ways. The rewards are usually worth it.