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> But it's hard to get people to stop and consider what "unforgettable work" looks like. I always liked the Richard Hamming approach (that made him super unpop
by Swizec 3y ago
> But it's hard to get people to stop and consider what "unforgettable work" looks like.
I always liked the Richard Hamming approach (that made him super unpopular with colleagues).
You sit down for lunch with some folks and ask: “What is the most important problem in your field?”. They answer. Then you say “Why aren’t you working on it?”
- travisgriggs 3y agoHamming: "What is the most important problem in your field" Me: "It is administrated/directed by uninformed individuals who get paid more than me and have more authority than me (they call them managers)" Hamming: "Why aren't you working on that?" Me: "Are you seriously rhetorically inciting me to "get rid" of people? You know that could make you an accomplice in a court of law..."
- Swizec 3y agoIf you don't think your org is working on important problems, why are you working there and not elsewhere? You need a job, I get it. Why are you applying to jobs you don't think are important?
- WaffleIronMaker 3y agoBecause my identity isn't defined by my work? I mainly prioritize my friends, family, and community. I'm happy to take a boring, pointless job if it pays well and I'm never working overtime.
- Swizec 3y agoCool. Then you will never do work that is important to you. Which is totally fine if that's what you want, but to me spending 40h/week on things I consider pointless sounds hard. The brilliance of Hamming's question is that you, the person being asked, define "important". There is no judgement attached. It's purely a question of your personal fulfillment.
- mikelitoris 3y ago[flagged]