4 ms·

I have a masters degree in English and earn an average of $3k a month, putting me on the low-end of the income spectrum. But I also work about...15-20 hours a w

I have a masters degree in English and earn an average of $3k a month, putting me on the low-end of the income spectrum. But I also work about...15-20 hours a week, from home, and take regular naps and generally just screw around a lot of the time. It's not the same as being a janitor, but it's similar in that there's very little oversight and the work isn't really too bad. So I can really understand the FU mindset, especially as I've worked B.S. jobs where the manager is an idiot and where the work isn't important but the boss acts like you're holding the keys to the nukes or something. I think a lot of the guys that go into super science aren't really looking for huge pay checks anyway. They love the science and the challenge, and they don't want to be burdened with all the BS that comes with dealing with "regular people" because we will get in their way. So I can respect that sort of decision.

michaelochurch 13y ago
I've worked B.S. jobs where the manager is an idiot and where the work isn't important but the boss acts like you're holding the keys to the nukes or something. http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/fourth-quadrant-work/ http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/fourth-quadra... I think a lot of the guys that go into super science aren't really looking for huge pay checks anyway. They love the science and the challenge, and they don't want to be burdened with all the BS that comes with dealing with "regular people" because we will get in their way. It ain't greener on the other side of the fence. Most software engineers work on pointless shit (and complain about idiotic or short-sighted management) as well. The problem isn't that these product executives and bikeshedding non-techs have low IQs. (We viciously lambast them as "retards" and "morons", but it ain't true. If they were physically limited we'd be dickheads for judging them. It's the willful stupidity that's the sin.) They're more than smart enough. The problem is that they (and half or more of all developers, to tell the truth) are willingly intellectually half-assed. Once they get power it's an excuse not to think. They do become genuinely stupid (in the low IQ sense) over time but that atrophy takes decades. In other words, it's not that "regular" people are the idiots who make our lives hell. It's something to do with power structures and the anti-intellectualism those seem to breed, even when filled with smart people.
- zacinbusiness 13y ago
  I agree with your points whole heartedly. But when I say "bs" jobs I mean working 7pm to 7am at the gas station where prostitutes will offer to blow you for a cup of ice cream. And the manager acts like its a sign of the end times that you didn't wear your name badge or that you didn't shave.
  - IndieDevClub 13y ago
    You've described the Managers at my part-time job exactly. I spend 4 hours shoveling snow in near sub-zero temperatures and oops I missed a spot by the side of the dumpster... who cares? Do customers go by the dumpster? No. Is it affecting the garbage being picked up? No. Then why the hell do they have to write a 10 sentence angry note to me for the next time I work? They are so unbelievably insane. But I am more resolved than ever. I will stay at that job until I make the equivalent amount of money selling software. When I finally quit there it will probably be one of the best days of my life.
    - zacinbusiness 13y ago
      I worked several shit jobs. Late nite gas stations, food delivery to gang riddled neighborhoods, two factories, and a china warehouse. Not to mention retail, which is even worse because you have to deal with idiot customers on top of idiot managers. It can be an eye opening experience for sure.

michaelochurch 13y ago

I've worked B.S. jobs where the manager is an idiot and where the work isn't important but the boss acts like you're holding the keys to the nukes or something. http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/fourth-quadrant-work/ http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/fourth-quadra... I think a lot of the guys that go into super science aren't really looking for huge pay checks anyway. They love the science and the challenge, and they don't want to be burdened with all the BS that comes with dealing with "regular people" because we will get in their way. It ain't greener on the other side of the fence. Most software engineers work on pointless shit (and complain about idiotic or short-sighted management) as well. The problem isn't that these product executives and bikeshedding non-techs have low IQs. (We viciously lambast them as "retards" and "morons", but it ain't true. If they were physically limited we'd be dickheads for judging them. It's the willful stupidity that's the sin.) They're more than smart enough. The problem is that they (and half or more of all developers, to tell the truth) are willingly intellectually half-assed. Once they get power it's an excuse not to think. They do become genuinely stupid (in the low IQ sense) over time but that atrophy takes decades. In other words, it's not that "regular" people are the idiots who make our lives hell. It's something to do with power structures and the anti-intellectualism those seem to breed, even when filled with smart people.

zacinbusiness 13y ago
I agree with your points whole heartedly. But when I say "bs" jobs I mean working 7pm to 7am at the gas station where prostitutes will offer to blow you for a cup of ice cream. And the manager acts like its a sign of the end times that you didn't wear your name badge or that you didn't shave.
- IndieDevClub 13y ago
  You've described the Managers at my part-time job exactly. I spend 4 hours shoveling snow in near sub-zero temperatures and oops I missed a spot by the side of the dumpster... who cares? Do customers go by the dumpster? No. Is it affecting the garbage being picked up? No. Then why the hell do they have to write a 10 sentence angry note to me for the next time I work? They are so unbelievably insane. But I am more resolved than ever. I will stay at that job until I make the equivalent amount of money selling software. When I finally quit there it will probably be one of the best days of my life.
  - zacinbusiness 13y ago
    I worked several shit jobs. Late nite gas stations, food delivery to gang riddled neighborhoods, two factories, and a china warehouse. Not to mention retail, which is even worse because you have to deal with idiot customers on top of idiot managers. It can be an eye opening experience for sure.