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Tech won't save anyone and won't do any more "good" to this society, quite the contrary. The best that we can do, as programmers, is to do the most boring jobs

Tech won't save anyone and won't do any more "good" to this society, quite the contrary. The best that we can do, as programmers, is to do the most boring jobs that bring a decent paycheck home (enough to pay mortgage/rent and to put food on the table) and then to call it a day, whoever still thinks that tech is a "force for good" is still living in the 2000s. Yes, taking boring jobs will also probably mean that 600k yearly comps (at least) are out of the question, but that's part of life and taking decisions. Also, Ellul and uncle Ted were right on all of this, a long (comparatively speaking) time ago.

Traubenfuchs 2y ago
Thank you. "I just want to program for money because I have no other marketable skills and I am surprised I get so much money for the easy nonsense I am doing." programmers need more visibility.
- yen223 2y ago
  Nah, I'd rather give more visibility to programmers who are actually doing a social good. Mercenary programmers - which describes most of us - are boring.
  - ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
    Doesn’t happen. Just sayin’. I’ve been doing that kind of programming for almost 30 years. Done a couple of things that have Made A Difference. There’s basically zero glory in helping people. That’s OK, but you need to be comfortable with it.
  - constantcrying 2y ago
    >Mercenary programmers - which describes most of us - are boring. No, mercenaries like me get to have fun, I don't have to constantly evaluate whether my actions violate a niche doctrinal tenant of some political ideology.
- paganel 2y ago
  None of us is "marketable" because we're humans, we're not companies, nor services nor other such thing. Also, good luck switching careers when you're past 35 years of age or even 40. Granted, back in my 20s I did genuinely think that tech was potentially a force for good, hence why I mentioned the 2000s (and, incidentally, why this forum came into existence back then and why a lot of people like me joined it back in the day, we were not on places like this one for the money)
  - throwawayffffas 2y ago
    "Marketable" refers to the labor market. Where humans are offering their services to employers. Some humans are capable of providing highly sought after services, these people are called "marketable" in the context of the labor market.
ziggyzecat 2y ago
one word: fascism. instead of doing the most boring job, you can just get into competition with most of these bacterial infections for companies and take them out, doing things the right way. Proper competition & proper ways of doing things ensure a proper evolution of the species & inspire and stimulate to do other things the right way.

Traubenfuchs 2y ago

Thank you. "I just want to program for money because I have no other marketable skills and I am surprised I get so much money for the easy nonsense I am doing." programmers need more visibility.

yen223 2y ago
Nah, I'd rather give more visibility to programmers who are actually doing a social good. Mercenary programmers - which describes most of us - are boring.
- ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
  Doesn’t happen. Just sayin’. I’ve been doing that kind of programming for almost 30 years. Done a couple of things that have Made A Difference. There’s basically zero glory in helping people. That’s OK, but you need to be comfortable with it.
- constantcrying 2y ago
  >Mercenary programmers - which describes most of us - are boring. No, mercenaries like me get to have fun, I don't have to constantly evaluate whether my actions violate a niche doctrinal tenant of some political ideology.
paganel 2y ago
None of us is "marketable" because we're humans, we're not companies, nor services nor other such thing. Also, good luck switching careers when you're past 35 years of age or even 40. Granted, back in my 20s I did genuinely think that tech was potentially a force for good, hence why I mentioned the 2000s (and, incidentally, why this forum came into existence back then and why a lot of people like me joined it back in the day, we were not on places like this one for the money)
- throwawayffffas 2y ago
  "Marketable" refers to the labor market. Where humans are offering their services to employers. Some humans are capable of providing highly sought after services, these people are called "marketable" in the context of the labor market.

ziggyzecat 2y ago

one word: fascism. instead of doing the most boring job, you can just get into competition with most of these bacterial infections for companies and take them out, doing things the right way. Proper competition & proper ways of doing things ensure a proper evolution of the species & inspire and stimulate to do other things the right way.