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By the way, the fun part is learning the technology. The hard part is working with people -- which is why it's about a million times more important. That's ver

By the way, the fun part is learning the technology. The hard part is working with people -- which is why it's about a million times more important. That's very interesting, and indeed seems to mark a certain personality type. Most people would see that exactly the other way around, that working with people is fun and easy, but the technical stuff is hard and extremely frustrating. It depends completely on your skill and what you're used to. Almost all people tend to think their own area of expertise is easier compared to others and don't understand why other people don't get it like they do (which has a simple answer: years of experience). There are a lot of guys spending thousands of hours on code in their spare time that might help 3 people -- who are also programmers Nah, helping 3 people in your spare time is more than helping no one. You're right, if your goal is to help as many people as possible, programming isn't the right time sink. Better to sign up for some volunteer job. On the other hand, you could also be reading a book, playing a game or watching TV and helping exactly no one :) Edit: and don't forget many non-programmers also spend their spare time on very trivial stuff. The problem is not exactly limited to technical people...

michaelochurch 15y ago
That's very interesting, and indeed seems to mark a certain personality type. Most people would see that exactly the other way around, that working with people is fun and easy, but the technical stuff is hard and extremely frustrating. Learning technology is fun when it adds something new. For example, if you know functional programming, then Gang-of-Four "design patterns" are completely useless cruft and not especially interesting to learn. It's painful to learn that sort of stuff when it's less powerful than what you already have and would be able to use in a better environment. "Working with people" can be fun, to a point. It's enjoyable when there's no power relationship, or a symmetric one. What's difficult is the context-switch from programming to interpersonal communication. It takes some time.
- hackinthebochs 15y ago
  The point is that different personality types enjoy different aspects of programming. For some people the technology itself is the fun part. For some its what you can accomplish with it. There is no right or wrong here.
  - wladimir 15y ago
    Yes, exactly. I think it's overall too easy to call someone else's use of spare time "trivial" because we don't understand why it could be useful for them, or to other people. We're all limited by our skills and interests. If only we could all be world-savers doing work of great impact and help to every person on earth in our free time...

michaelochurch 15y ago

That's very interesting, and indeed seems to mark a certain personality type. Most people would see that exactly the other way around, that working with people is fun and easy, but the technical stuff is hard and extremely frustrating. Learning technology is fun when it adds something new. For example, if you know functional programming, then Gang-of-Four "design patterns" are completely useless cruft and not especially interesting to learn. It's painful to learn that sort of stuff when it's less powerful than what you already have and would be able to use in a better environment. "Working with people" can be fun, to a point. It's enjoyable when there's no power relationship, or a symmetric one. What's difficult is the context-switch from programming to interpersonal communication. It takes some time.

hackinthebochs 15y ago
The point is that different personality types enjoy different aspects of programming. For some people the technology itself is the fun part. For some its what you can accomplish with it. There is no right or wrong here.
- wladimir 15y ago
  Yes, exactly. I think it's overall too easy to call someone else's use of spare time "trivial" because we don't understand why it could be useful for them, or to other people. We're all limited by our skills and interests. If only we could all be world-savers doing work of great impact and help to every person on earth in our free time...