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I'm concerned that highlighting his accomplishments every time one of his projects comes up gives the wrong impression to the newer programmers reading the site

I'm concerned that highlighting his accomplishments every time one of his projects comes up gives the wrong impression to the newer programmers reading the site, or even to experienced programmers. You, reader, can be a Bellard. There's nothing "special" about what Bellard has done, in the sense of it being beyond your abilities. You just have to believe in yourself, along with having a willingness to work hard most days. But working hard is easy when you find an interesting problem. Bellard is able to do so much because knowledge is like compound interest: The more you know, the more you can learn. Bellard has been saving up for a long time. Competition is sometimes motivational, and if you insist on looking at it like a competition, then realize that every day Bellard devotes to relaxation is a day you can catch up to where he's at. Competition is what motivated me, when I first started. And once you realize there's nothing magical about what they know, you realize you can sprint very hard towards where they're at, which is exciting. But once you start down that path, competitive spirit tends to transcend into something else entirely. You stop comparing yourself to others. You focus on putting one foot in front of the other, taking the next logical step towards your goal. Repeat for N days, and suddenly people are highlighting the projects you've done. But what's your goal? Well, that's up to you. So pursue your interests! You can do it.

WildUtah 12y ago
I agree. The classic talk on this subject is Richard Hamming's "You and Your Research." [0] I think there may be video online. [0] http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html
unsigner 12y ago
You slipped the blank slate fallacy here: the belief that people are born exactly equal, there is zero genetic component to IQ and programming capabilities, and all that is needed is "working hard" and "believing in yourself". This is far from universally accepted.
- throwaway5752 12y ago
  Nothing is incompatible with telling people to work as hard as possible and make the most of themselves and the idea that some people are more gifted than others. "blank slate fallacy" ... Steven Pinker probably has to pay a marketing person a quarter every time someone says that. I should construct a straw man, position myself as a iconoclast against that straw man, and then rake in the TED/book deal $$$ instead of working hard like a chump.
deathanatos 12y ago
I'd love to believe this, but it's my day job. By the time I've poured my brain 9–5 into what my employer wants, I just feel too drained to do what I want. It's a vicious cycle of desire and fatigue.
- kordless 12y ago
  > too drained Drained, or scared?
  - 001sky 12y ago
    I'm pretty sure there is no need to troll this comment. Even if your point was logical, it would be debatable.
    - spoiler 12y ago
      I believe the comment was meant to motivate, or provoke a bit of self-reflection; not for trolling. Many people are unwilling, or can't or look for excuses to not take the first step because fear[1][2] might be (secretly) hindering them. I was offered a great job and I was afraid/unwilling to take the job because of the responsibility in involved (even though, I would've loved the job) and was afraid I wouldn't be up to the task or my own expectations (now I realise I would've been more than capable). Although, my issue was a consequence of a much bigger emotional problem, I wouldn't have ever resolved it, if it wasn't for a tactless and stubborn friend who forced me into helping myself. Just my two cents. -- [1]:Atychiphobia [2]: or Jonah's complex
      - kordless 12y ago
        Yes. I realize the comment was short and blunt, but the intent behind it was simply to question motivations behind "working for the man" and "doing what brings you joy". I encourage everyone to consider the risks and fears associated with building something new and revolutionary. Sometimes that takes digging deep and facing your fears!
- sillysaurus3 12y ago
qq66 12y ago
> You, reader, can be a Bellard. In the sense that you, reader, can write ffmpeg, that's not really true. In the sense that you, reader, can achieve your maximum potential in any given field if you commit yourself wholeheartedly to doing so, then yes, it is.
- sillysaurus3 12y ago
  In the sense that you, reader, can write ffmpeg, that's not really true. Of course you can write ffmpeg. What's so special about ffmpeg? Research how it works, then write it yourself. Maybe it seems pointless to do that since ffmpeg is already written, but it's not. You'll learn an amazing amount from the experience. Putting "mythical 100x programmers" onto a pedestal is mistaken.
  - saiya-jin 12y ago
    Or... you can invest your most precious possesion you have, that is the remaining time in this planet, to have a life ;) That doesn't go against achieving full potential mentioned above, just that narrowing your efforts and energy only to what is daily job for most people here... let's say most people have other priorities in life
  - qq66 12y ago
    Some people can dunk a basketball with no training [1]. Some people can dunk a basketball with a little training. Some people can dunk a basketball if they make it the primary focus of their lives and train hard towards that goal. And some people will never be able to dunk a basketball no matter how hard they try [2]. But one thing is certain, if you train hard at basketball, you will get better at it. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manute_Bol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manute_Bol [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking
swah 12y ago
But I can't be a Bellard and keep up w/ HN, reddit, facebook and twitter.
- antimagic 12y ago
  Heh, I can tell you for a fact that Fabrice hangs out on forums as well :) His personal fave is still Slashdot...
JetSpiegel 12y ago
I liked this message better when it was said by Rhonda Byrne.

WildUtah 12y ago

I agree. The classic talk on this subject is Richard Hamming's "You and Your Research." [0] I think there may be video online. [0] http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html

unsigner 12y ago

You slipped the blank slate fallacy here: the belief that people are born exactly equal, there is zero genetic component to IQ and programming capabilities, and all that is needed is "working hard" and "believing in yourself". This is far from universally accepted.

throwaway5752 12y ago
Nothing is incompatible with telling people to work as hard as possible and make the most of themselves and the idea that some people are more gifted than others. "blank slate fallacy" ... Steven Pinker probably has to pay a marketing person a quarter every time someone says that. I should construct a straw man, position myself as a iconoclast against that straw man, and then rake in the TED/book deal $$$ instead of working hard like a chump.

deathanatos 12y ago

I'd love to believe this, but it's my day job. By the time I've poured my brain 9–5 into what my employer wants, I just feel too drained to do what I want. It's a vicious cycle of desire and fatigue.

kordless 12y ago
> too drained Drained, or scared?
- 001sky 12y ago
  I'm pretty sure there is no need to troll this comment. Even if your point was logical, it would be debatable.
  - spoiler 12y ago
    I believe the comment was meant to motivate, or provoke a bit of self-reflection; not for trolling. Many people are unwilling, or can't or look for excuses to not take the first step because fear[1][2] might be (secretly) hindering them. I was offered a great job and I was afraid/unwilling to take the job because of the responsibility in involved (even though, I would've loved the job) and was afraid I wouldn't be up to the task or my own expectations (now I realise I would've been more than capable). Although, my issue was a consequence of a much bigger emotional problem, I wouldn't have ever resolved it, if it wasn't for a tactless and stubborn friend who forced me into helping myself. Just my two cents. -- [1]:Atychiphobia [2]: or Jonah's complex
    - kordless 12y ago
      Yes. I realize the comment was short and blunt, but the intent behind it was simply to question motivations behind "working for the man" and "doing what brings you joy". I encourage everyone to consider the risks and fears associated with building something new and revolutionary. Sometimes that takes digging deep and facing your fears!
sillysaurus3 12y ago

qq66 12y ago

> You, reader, can be a Bellard. In the sense that you, reader, can write ffmpeg, that's not really true. In the sense that you, reader, can achieve your maximum potential in any given field if you commit yourself wholeheartedly to doing so, then yes, it is.

sillysaurus3 12y ago
In the sense that you, reader, can write ffmpeg, that's not really true. Of course you can write ffmpeg. What's so special about ffmpeg? Research how it works, then write it yourself. Maybe it seems pointless to do that since ffmpeg is already written, but it's not. You'll learn an amazing amount from the experience. Putting "mythical 100x programmers" onto a pedestal is mistaken.
- saiya-jin 12y ago
  Or... you can invest your most precious possesion you have, that is the remaining time in this planet, to have a life ;) That doesn't go against achieving full potential mentioned above, just that narrowing your efforts and energy only to what is daily job for most people here... let's say most people have other priorities in life
- qq66 12y ago
  Some people can dunk a basketball with no training [1]. Some people can dunk a basketball with a little training. Some people can dunk a basketball if they make it the primary focus of their lives and train hard towards that goal. And some people will never be able to dunk a basketball no matter how hard they try [2]. But one thing is certain, if you train hard at basketball, you will get better at it. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manute_Bol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manute_Bol [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking

swah 12y ago

But I can't be a Bellard and keep up w/ HN, reddit, facebook and twitter.

antimagic 12y ago
Heh, I can tell you for a fact that Fabrice hangs out on forums as well :) His personal fave is still Slashdot...

JetSpiegel 12y ago

I liked this message better when it was said by Rhonda Byrne.