Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software

Observations on work, life, and existence from behind the computer screen of a Software Engineering Manager.

Writing a book about the esoterics of Engineering.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

I'm writing a book called 'The Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software' - delving into the philosophical/social/psycho/organisation elements of working as a Software Engineer.

I'm hoping to acquire a mass of Twitter followers to help validate the thinking in the book.

[Ordinary Mastery | John Durrant @OrdinaryMastery]

My most recent Substack post looks at Cognitive Load Theory and should resonate well with software engineers who are often pushed to the limits of their cognitive capabilities.

https://t.co/w1W3jihkxh

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

How to practice our craft as Software Engineers.

[Ordinary Mastery | John Durrant @OrdinaryMastery]

Musings and insights on how to practice.

Substack: https://t.co/dX8iPQzWfb

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@TAbrodi Persuasion is a useful skill.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

Humanity is submissive.

We used to get down on our knees to our gods, now we genuflect to AI. It's like we need a boss, a master, something to submit to.

AI is a tool, not humanity's master.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

Advice I wish an adult would have given me when I was just starting out:

"Don't worry too much about how you measure up, the truth is we're all winging it..."

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@wtravishubbard Don't worry too much about how you measure up, the truth is we're all winging it...

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

A reminder for those who worship at the alter of achievement:

“Only a mediocre person is always at his best.” - W. Somerset Maugham

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

In my day job as Head of Engineering, I'm often asked to provide quick wins or quick fixes for issues which are a result of systemic complexities and organisational dysfunction. Senior Execs demand easy short-term solutions, rather than working to understand systemic root causes.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@eduardsi Did Kent Beck say this? Great quote, but I can't find the source. Do you know where he said this?

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@thedankoe Don't set goals before understanding who you are. Know thyself.

Learn how to 'become who you are' as Nietsche's Zarathustra spake.

Become self-conscious, otherwise, you will end up setting goals defined by society, rather than those reflecting the potential of your higher self.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

Movement and awareness of our location were the primary functions of early neural activity, and the activity of dopamine is strongly associated with movement.

We are built for movement and physicality - but by dissociating the body from the mind we limit ourselves as a system.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

I've just learned from @vervaeke_john that Socrates was a decorated military hero, and Plato a wrestler.

Do we as modern Software Engineers neglect the role that our physicality plays in the development of intellect?

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

Do Software Engineers tend to forsake their bodies for their minds as the ascetics would forsake bodily matters for the pursuit of spirituality?

[Eduard Sizov @eduardsi]

I can't be a better software engineer than I am a person.

— Kent Beck

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@AlienTechGroup When Socrates said 'Know Thyself' it seems he actually meant 'Know Thy Ignorance'.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@LozzaFox Patient and consistent practice. Many of today's problems are a result of wanting quick fixes. Enjoy the process, enjoy the mundane, and the odds of gaining the results you want will improve.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@theseancrow Wanting a high-quality life is an attachment to an imagined future which will never materialise.

High-quality effort IS a high-quality life.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

Code Mastery is not a destination.

The sincerity of our practice, and the integrity of our learning, are more critical than our seniority or any other externally judged stage of our development.

The right attitude towards Software Engineering is the path of mastery.

[Sorrows and Joys of Working in Software @SinfulEngineer]

@AlienTechGroup Same reason it's to engage people in the topic of "What comes next after Democracy?" - everyone sees the flaws but have a lazy acceptance of it. To imagine something different is non-conformist and requires the courage of the fool, the beginner's mind. Most find this difficult.