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> Why Did You Do This? > I used this project as an opportunity to learn about Rust and FUSE file systems. I also think it's hilarious. > Visitors interested i

> Why Did You Do This? > I used this project as an opportunity to learn about Rust and FUSE file systems. I also think it's hilarious. > Visitors interested in the code should note that this is an irredeemably messy codebase—it's full of hacks, unidiomatic code, and wildly poor design decisions. > However, visitors should also note that that's okay. The best way to learn something new is to try it out for yourself—and creating a mess is a vital part of that process. I absolutely love this sentiment. Why do this? Because it’s fun. And messy. And sometimes, that’s okay. Not everything needs to be a product… sometimes it’s enough to do something because you can… or want to… or because $RANDOM reason. I’m very grateful to the author and whoever decided to submit it today.

lvkv 2y ago
Author here. Those are kind words! I’d like to add the last part of that quote: > The page you're on right now is my mess. Now go create yours!
phamilton 2y ago
As a college student trying to figure out where I wanted to go next (industry vs academia) I had an epiphany that there was intrinsic value in doing things. Even things that were neither novel (academia), profitable (industry), nor impactful (nonprofits). While my career has found a balance between impact and financial sustainability, I have a special place in my heart for projects that are otherwise unnecessary but happen just because it brings the creator joy.
- xwolfi 2y ago
  But there is no greater pleasure than to finish something, deliver it, get users in front of it, and get feedback you never expected from either grumpy or happy users. I think it's way more rewarding to try to work for profit, because while money is nice, profit also means it's so useful someone is ready to give you credit for future work (money) for what you did.
  - HeatrayEnjoyer 2y ago
    Not a universal experience. I receive little joy in money, beyond the basic needs it relieves. Shutting down a business that cleared $800M profit annul. was the best decision I ever made. Profit doesn't inherently mean you've made the median experience of individual humans better, and is just as often to effect significant degradation. My biz was slightly on the positive, but I could have pegged an extra zero in profit if I had forgone scruples.
- roeles 2y ago
  Even if it makes just you happy, it's impactful. You are the person others have to put up with. Making yourself happy improves the world for those around you.
- teleforce 2y ago
  >Even things that were neither novel (academia), profitable (industry), nor impactful (nonprofits). You classifications are good but it's a bit simplistic. Generally across the spectrum people is looking for breakthrough (e.g. deep learning) and/or game changing (e.g. transformer) contributions regardless if you're in academia, industry, non-profit, government labs, etc. But for pure joy, it can be from any simple creative projects as you've mentioned or it can be giving up seats for the elderly in a crowded metro trains.
j45 2y ago
Right on. Making a mess and learning to clean it up, and prevent it a little more each time is the way.

lvkv 2y ago

Author here. Those are kind words! I’d like to add the last part of that quote: > The page you're on right now is my mess. Now go create yours!

phamilton 2y ago

As a college student trying to figure out where I wanted to go next (industry vs academia) I had an epiphany that there was intrinsic value in doing things. Even things that were neither novel (academia), profitable (industry), nor impactful (nonprofits). While my career has found a balance between impact and financial sustainability, I have a special place in my heart for projects that are otherwise unnecessary but happen just because it brings the creator joy.

xwolfi 2y ago
But there is no greater pleasure than to finish something, deliver it, get users in front of it, and get feedback you never expected from either grumpy or happy users. I think it's way more rewarding to try to work for profit, because while money is nice, profit also means it's so useful someone is ready to give you credit for future work (money) for what you did.
- HeatrayEnjoyer 2y ago
  Not a universal experience. I receive little joy in money, beyond the basic needs it relieves. Shutting down a business that cleared $800M profit annul. was the best decision I ever made. Profit doesn't inherently mean you've made the median experience of individual humans better, and is just as often to effect significant degradation. My biz was slightly on the positive, but I could have pegged an extra zero in profit if I had forgone scruples.
roeles 2y ago
Even if it makes just you happy, it's impactful. You are the person others have to put up with. Making yourself happy improves the world for those around you.
teleforce 2y ago
>Even things that were neither novel (academia), profitable (industry), nor impactful (nonprofits). You classifications are good but it's a bit simplistic. Generally across the spectrum people is looking for breakthrough (e.g. deep learning) and/or game changing (e.g. transformer) contributions regardless if you're in academia, industry, non-profit, government labs, etc. But for pure joy, it can be from any simple creative projects as you've mentioned or it can be giving up seats for the elderly in a crowded metro trains.

j45 2y ago

Right on. Making a mess and learning to clean it up, and prevent it a little more each time is the way.