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As a Weird Nerd who can't get a job in the industry [1], this resonates. On one hand, I understand that I can't get a job because of my own flaws. After all, w

As a Weird Nerd who can't get a job in the industry [1], this resonates. On one hand, I understand that I can't get a job because of my own flaws. After all, who needs a solo-only C-only [2] programmer who can't build theory of mind and thus, can't read code written by others and who refuses to prioritize employer over user? On the other hand, it is hard, and I secretly hope the industry can change so that people like me can have a place. Edit: To clarify, I don't think I am a Genius, just a Weird Nerd in the sense that I do not like politicking. However, I am trying to learn from my empath wife how to do it because yes, it is a necessary evil right now. [1]: https://gavinhoward.com/2024/06/my-programming-journey/ https://gavinhoward.com/2024/06/my-programming-journey/ [2]: https://gavinhoward.com/2023/02/why-i-use-c-when-i-believe-in-memory-safety/ https://gavinhoward.com/2023/02/why-i-use-c-when-i-believe-i...

meiraleal 2y ago
People like you have a lot of places to shine nowadays. Having a job/boss isn't the right way for many (much less a given).
- gavinhoward 2y ago
  Thank you. I have also tried to start my own business, but that is not going well.
wyldfire 2y ago
> On the other hand, it is hard, and I secretly hope the industry can change so that people like me can have a place. In some ways, things are better than ever for folks like you. Starting and running a one-person business making software is feasible now but would've been much harder in decades past. > Second, I work alone on code that is entirely in my head. ... Rust is great for teams ... Unfortunately, industry has problems that are big enough that they're not easily solved with one person. So tools that work to bring about a team's success will be valuable. As will individuals who work well in teams.
- gavinhoward 2y ago
  > In some ways, things are better than ever for folks like you. Starting and running a one-person business making software is feasible now but would've been much harder in decades past. Yes, you are absolutely right. Unfortunately, I have been trying that and failing. I don't blame anyone for that either. > Unfortunately, industry has problems that are big enough that they're not easily solved with one person. So tools that work to bring about a team's success will be valuable. As will individuals who work well in teams. You are absolutely correct. And yes, that is why people shouldn't hire me. Nevertheless, I think there are some problems that one person can solve. I want to make the next-gen version control system. I think that may be small enough for one person. Other infrastructure software can be like that too.
  - wyldfire 2y ago
    IMO Open Source software communities are where folks like you can really thrive. They're much closer at something like a meritocracy than traditional workplaces. > I want to make the next-gen version control system While you certainly could invent one yourself, you could consider contributing to popular ones like git/mercurial. It'd help teach you both the positive and the negative aspects of their design choices. Also you could consider learning from newer approaches like Jujutsu [1] or Pijul [2] on your way to designing the next-gen system. Good luck! [1] https://github.com/martinvonz/jj https://github.com/martinvonz/jj [2] https://pijul.org/ https://pijul.org/
    - deleted 2y ago
      [deleted]
  - skulk 2y ago
    I've seen your monorepo and it's definitely impressive. How are you going about acquiring clients though? It's not like I have any advice but I'm curious what you've tried.
    - gavinhoward 2y ago

meiraleal 2y ago

People like you have a lot of places to shine nowadays. Having a job/boss isn't the right way for many (much less a given).

gavinhoward 2y ago
Thank you. I have also tried to start my own business, but that is not going well.

wyldfire 2y ago

> On the other hand, it is hard, and I secretly hope the industry can change so that people like me can have a place. In some ways, things are better than ever for folks like you. Starting and running a one-person business making software is feasible now but would've been much harder in decades past. > Second, I work alone on code that is entirely in my head. ... Rust is great for teams ... Unfortunately, industry has problems that are big enough that they're not easily solved with one person. So tools that work to bring about a team's success will be valuable. As will individuals who work well in teams.

gavinhoward 2y ago
> In some ways, things are better than ever for folks like you. Starting and running a one-person business making software is feasible now but would've been much harder in decades past. Yes, you are absolutely right. Unfortunately, I have been trying that and failing. I don't blame anyone for that either. > Unfortunately, industry has problems that are big enough that they're not easily solved with one person. So tools that work to bring about a team's success will be valuable. As will individuals who work well in teams. You are absolutely correct. And yes, that is why people shouldn't hire me. Nevertheless, I think there are some problems that one person can solve. I want to make the next-gen version control system. I think that may be small enough for one person. Other infrastructure software can be like that too.
- wyldfire 2y ago
  IMO Open Source software communities are where folks like you can really thrive. They're much closer at something like a meritocracy than traditional workplaces. > I want to make the next-gen version control system While you certainly could invent one yourself, you could consider contributing to popular ones like git/mercurial. It'd help teach you both the positive and the negative aspects of their design choices. Also you could consider learning from newer approaches like Jujutsu [1] or Pijul [2] on your way to designing the next-gen system. Good luck! [1] https://github.com/martinvonz/jj https://github.com/martinvonz/jj [2] https://pijul.org/ https://pijul.org/
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
- skulk 2y ago
  I've seen your monorepo and it's definitely impressive. How are you going about acquiring clients though? It's not like I have any advice but I'm curious what you've tried.
  - gavinhoward 2y ago