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> show up, do good work... > work 50-60 hrs per week Those aren't incompatible. In fact, based on current and former Apple employees I know, you're both righ
by beambot 11y ago
> show up, do good work...
> work 50-60 hrs per week
Those aren't incompatible. In fact, based on current and former Apple employees I know, you're both right. It's also worth pointing out the extreme compartmentalization at Apple. I imagine that makes it more difficult to get a handle on systems-level considerations that are so key for lean startup teams.
- jsjohnst 11y agoYou are definitely right, I focused more on the "go home to family" part. Many I know at Apple have had relationship issues with significant others and family due to the sometimes grueling pace and "CIA spy" level secrecy some teams are forced to have even with their spouses.
- threeseed 11y agoIt's more the long hours / weekend work for months on end that causes problems. The secrecy is never an issue.
- jsjohnst 11y agoNever is a rather bold word choice, especially as I know of a few examples that disprove it.
- beambot 11y agoI wouldn't underestimate how much secrecy plays a role psychologically. Not being able to talk to friends, family, and loved ones about what you work on can be a real drain. (Spoken from some experience; I did classified work at a DOE nuclear lab in the past.)
- philwelch 11y agoI must be odd, because I never talk about my work with my family even when I'm allowed to. None of them have the context to understand or care. It's a different compartment of my life entirely. Do normal people really do this?
- beambot 11y agoPerhaps I'm the odd one then. Much of my family and most of my closest friends are perfectly capable of having informed discussions about technology when those discussions are rooted in basic physics. Actually, it goes beyond that: We all enjoy talking about those subjects.