Comment by vorpalhex
7 years ago
In defense of the parent, I can imagine a situation where I'm excited and truly bought into a product as improving peoples lives and am willing to expend the energy to dramatically improve that product in meaningful ways. I think this is something a lot of folks in our industry want, and that's not per se bad though it can lead to negative outcomes.
I had a project like this once. I really threw myself into it. I wasn't dying, but it did have a negative impact on my life in most other dimensions.
Then some kind of politics held the project up (likely for years), and they had me work a different project, so I quit, 'cause it was the success of that particular project that had me coming to work (it was gonna prevent traffic accidents, and it was fun to work on).
I have a healthier work/life balance now, but I don't care about what I'm working on. If they could get the wheels moving on that project again I'd switch back in a heartbeat.
I'm gonna die either way. If I have to put in a bit more work in order for it all to have meant something more than pointless meetings and products that nobody wants, then that's work I'm willing to do.
One of the rare instances in which I threw myself into those sprints I was advocating for is working on the national emergency management system. I loved the project, I felt like my contribution to society was well worth the months spent sweating over it. Childless, young and healthy, it was a great experience and I still check the uptime from time to time a lot of years later.
I've since left that institution precisely for what you mention, politics, and exactly like you I something think about working on that project again. I don't think any project I'll ever work on will be as satisfying from a societal perspective, as that one.
Thank you for the defense, it's exactly the kind of situation I'm arguing for.
I think it's also important to note the context of who is doing this kind of sprints. Does he have a family? Does he have other engagements? Does he have other health issues?
It's not for everyone, but I believe in my case, timing them properly, recovering properly afterwards and reaping the benefits has worked in my favor.
I might have given the impression that I am advocating for regular such sprints when in fact I have done this rarely, at pivotal moments, with years in between them.
This is giving money to the rich. Don’t put in any more time than you need to; no product is worth that.
The rich put money in and they get money out, myself I can only sell my services and when I truly believe in something to see that it is implemented to the best of my abilities.
I will always look after my own health and will always try to maintain control, but each of us has his own context. "No product is worth that" is a general statement that might not apply to everything and everyone.
It's not a war. The rich are to be feared and pitied, like all humans.
>It's not a war. The rich are to be feared and pitied, like all humans.
Fear and pity them all you want, but your health is not theirs. Don't give away the only thing you truly have, and the only thing you can never really get back.