I'm not a "passionate programmer". I feel that after working 8 hours on a regular basis, I should do something else, like read science fiction, chat with my dear wife, etc. When someone asks, I answer with all seriousness, "That's what life is called. You should try it too."
In fact, I really despise those passionate programmers. Their so-called passion is spending 12 or even 16 hours a day sitting in front of the computer writing code, or sacrificing their hobbies, sleep and interpersonal communication in order to write code. Sometimes even the basic self-care of life has no time to take care of. This is still passion, this is clearly an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Macho or paranoia?
Our culture is not right. If we were infatuated with a woman and pursued her in a way similar to the tireless dedication of working in a company, we would be considered crazy!
However, this madness becomes a role model at work, as long as you can work tirelessly and diligently to focus on writing code - even if you are severely introverted or even autistic, it will become a favorite of employers.
Worse yet, too many male programmers are willingly sacrificing the rest of their time to write code and take pride in it. Then, this work-first trend has driven women in high tech to follow suit. The programmer, like a masochist, said cheerfully after being beaten: "Thank you, sir. Can I have another one?"
From my experience, the real problem is that programmers who devote all their waking hours to work are writing bad code that hurts others and hurts themselves.
Technologists say they're exhausted
I learned this basic truth after a painful experience. That's why I was fired from a now defunct organization, Conduit Internet Technologies.
Work 12 to 14 hours a day, with a Sunday break if you're lucky. Suddenly one day, the management found out that we had a job that was not done well, so I was instructed to finish it by the next morning. I had to stay up late to work.
I worked all night. But in the process I destroyed a database for production use, and although there were automatic backups, I was so tired - working until 5am that I didn't notice this.
I didn't realize my mistake until the afternoon and immediately started fixing it at home, but management has cut off remote access. They thought I had completely screwed the database and overwrote it.
……
I didn't protest on purpose, but they still paid me an extra month's salary and allowed me to leave the office after I found a job. How should I put it, this is obviously more forgiving than their responsibility for this matter. many. But then again, I was really exhausted for this job, and getting fired was more of a relief.
Passion==Pain
Here's a little interlude. When employers tell you they value a developer's passion, they're telling you. When you hear this word, turn around and run, because there are tigers chasing and biting you.
Many people don't know that the word "passion" is translated from the Greek πάσχειν (paschein), which means "to endure pain". In fact, this is the essence of the work. But we don't have to suffer for a salary unless you're a CEO. Otherwise, your salary is not enough to cover all the shit you need to deal with.
When the nose meets the whetstone (hard work)
However, none of what I said above should be an excuse to be lazy at work. If you are working, work hard. Do your eight-hour day's work and leave right away. Be worthy of the salary paid by the employer.
How can it be considered worthy of the salary paid by the employer? Be attentive and avoid all unnecessary distractions. Get into the state and write your best code. Avoid pointless meetings. Avoid repetitive tasks. Use your spare time at work to learn new techniques and design patterns to improve your skills. Just like in the article 5 things that make programmers lose their passion for programming, don't do waste too often.
Then eight hours later, you can mute your phone and leave the office in style. Forget emails, notifications, and voicemails, wait until the next day's work hours, but don't drain yourself.
You can do other things: drink a little wine, sleep in a daze, pray, have sex, play with the kids, walk the dog, scratch the cat's belly, do art, go to fight clubs and pk with strangers, read, masturbate, make music, Even skydiving. Just don't write code.
It's all because of human nature
You are just a person, not a fairy, so there is no need to sacrifice yourself and drain yourself to create wealth for the capitalists. The more value you create, the more difference they can make after paying you.
Guaranteeing a daily rest period not only provides energy for the next day's work, but also empowers you. So, take a break when it's time for a break, and ignore your employer's complaints about your 9-to-5 hours.
Because these employers have no regard for your health and happiness. But health and happiness are the things we humans should do for ourselves first and foremost. If your country's culture doesn't say that, it's lying to you, dear.
What you do in the office is a means, not an end. If you make the process your goal, it will only make you lose sight of the best things in life. And, if you don't get a chance to breathe, it will only make you gradually hate the job, and even programming.
Translation link: http://www.codeceo.com/article/programmer-passion-harmful.html
English original text: Programmer Passion Considered
Harmful