"I think they're on to us!" --Jeff Dean, March 2001

[jazzfish]

Sometimes I make the wrong decision, like going to work at Waldens instead of delivering pizzas.

But sometimes the decision that gets made for me is the right one, like no longer working in software testing or documentation.

So it all works out in the end. I guess. Everything Happens For A Reason.

I did that LJ compatibility thing. I'm not real impressed, honestly... between the ability to get over one hundred percent compatibility and its asking 'Who are you?' (which is really asking 'Who do you think you are?') it's kind of cute, but probably not worth the 15 minutes of thought I put into it. As I recall I'm mostly compatible with people I've not met.

Comments

Re: "Failed"?

[narquelion.livejournal.com]

I will never be able to be just a coder, even when I'm playing one on TV. There's a certain air of subversion about me. I'm unwilling to give up my ethics, unwilling to close my eyes to common sense again.

I know that in some sense this doesn't matter. If I can't effect any change on the world, I'm no better than the others. If anything, they have the excuse of ignorance, while I know I've failed.

As to the rest of what you're saying: I know people are stupid. I deal with them too. Granted, I just get constantly asked, "Why, oh why can't you be just a normal coder?" I get to keep my job. For all that I start to not want it, I at least get the option to balance my subversiveness with my desire/need for employment.

I'm glad to be excepted, somewhat, from my so-called profession when it comes to the Tucker bitterness department. Of course I respect you - do I look insane? I've seen you do these things, which as you point out are both more difficult and more thankless than my own chosen form of emotional masochism masquerading as employment, and you're exceptionally good at it. The best I've ever met. Without question. And I understand how frustrating it is, knowing that if you were one of those normal incompetents or barely-competent uncaring people the field currently attracts, you wouldn't have the problems you do. It means that, though I can hope, I can't expect to ever have as good a partner again.

I know the respect of one worthwhile person won't make up for the idiots. I know this because sometimes you're that person. Sometimes it's worth the effort to say it anyway.