This matches my experience as well. I used to work in tech, but even then, I struggled to find meaning in anything I did. It was killing me inside, especially since the expectation is that it should dominate your life and thoughts. You're asked to define yourself by the company you work for and the work you do, but most of it is just so stupid and pointless that it just leaves you feeling dead.
I recognise there is good the industry does, and that some of what has come out of it has genuinely made the world a better place. Most of it, though, could vanish, and society would be better off for it.
My social circle is mostly tech and my SO is in tech, and this is spot on. Making your whole life about one thing means you dramatically decrease the number of points of connection with others on top of WFH leading to physical isolation. When work is your only intetrest and the only people you can have a conversation with are fellow shut-ins, you end up without many friends.
Also, the considerable amount of autism among tech people.
Also also, tech being a male-dominated field during the age of the male loneliness epidemic.
Yea tbf I was being reductive. I also talk about the (rewarding) aspects of my job outside work. I was just drawing the line between that and the tech sector that sniffs their own farts 24/7.
Took screenshots of damn near every paragraph of this, lol. Signed, a burnt out tech worker who has watched AI consume every enjoyable part of her job as her company replaces a creative and curious culture with a sole focus on profit.
It was always meaningless, but at least it used to be fun.
> Debord believed escape from the spectacle was impossible. He went on to dissolve his own movement rather than watch it become institutionalized, and then drank himself to death in the countryside.
I had to laugh at this it's so grim. It's the fundamental problem with any expression of counter culture needing to engage with "the spectacle" as he calls it. You either die in obscurity with no one having heard of your ideas. Or you end up with modern burning man, drowning in hypocrisy.
This is a very sloppy article that mixes together white collar (office) work, knowledge work (includes e.g. lawyers and designers), and tech workers. There is overlap but they are far from synonymous.
After 25yrs in the field, I would choose nursing all over again. It’s not just something I do, it’s something I am. On or off the clock, in case of emergency, if you ask me for help, I’ll show up. It’s fulfilling to feel useful.
Because they’re corporate drones working for some of the worst people making our world much worse at an exponential pace? Because they directly contribute to the dismantling of society and the horrific addiction of smartphones and its attendant maladies? Because they’ve traded any kind of personality for shiny magic glowy boxes which do nothing but lie to you to sell you things, breaking down your individuality piece by piece in order to better shove your denuded soul into an algorithm? Or maybe just cause they’re bored who knows
Do you think the only tech workers work in AI or social media?
The people who make insulin pumps are tech workers. The people who design airplanes are tech workers. The people who developed the COVID vaccine were tech workers.
Yeah. I work for a transportation company supporting their website development. It's not saving the world or even a small piece of it. It does, however, enable people to ship stuf. It also provides me with a means to support myself and my family. I've been in the software development business a long time; I find meaning elsewhere.
Social media and AI are the most visible and harmful parts of our industry so it’s easy to see an outsider thinking it’s synonymous. But it’s a tiny minority of tech in terms of numbers of workers though not in terms of earning power and bragging about it.
I’ve worked in tech for 40 years. I earn a solid upper middle class salary maintaining the software plumbing that literally runs the entire world economy. I have no issue finding meaning in what I do because I see the consequences when things go wrong.
formerly_LTRLLTRL | 13 hours ago
The sadness doesn’t come from knowledge work being meaningless. The sadness comes from trying to find meaning where there isn’t any.
Tech in particular seem to hang out with others in tech and talk shop outside their working hours.
I spend a good deal of time outdoors (ski weekends, hiking, etc). I don’t talk work. It’s beautiful.
[OP] Quouar | 13 hours ago
This matches my experience as well. I used to work in tech, but even then, I struggled to find meaning in anything I did. It was killing me inside, especially since the expectation is that it should dominate your life and thoughts. You're asked to define yourself by the company you work for and the work you do, but most of it is just so stupid and pointless that it just leaves you feeling dead.
I recognise there is good the industry does, and that some of what has come out of it has genuinely made the world a better place. Most of it, though, could vanish, and society would be better off for it.
Quagga_Resurrection | 7 hours ago
My social circle is mostly tech and my SO is in tech, and this is spot on. Making your whole life about one thing means you dramatically decrease the number of points of connection with others on top of WFH leading to physical isolation. When work is your only intetrest and the only people you can have a conversation with are fellow shut-ins, you end up without many friends.
Also, the considerable amount of autism among tech people.
Also also, tech being a male-dominated field during the age of the male loneliness epidemic.
your_mom_is_availabl | 11 hours ago
I talk about my job outside of working hours because I love a great deal about my job and the cool stuff I get to work on.
formerly_LTRLLTRL | 7 hours ago
Yea tbf I was being reductive. I also talk about the (rewarding) aspects of my job outside work. I was just drawing the line between that and the tech sector that sniffs their own farts 24/7.
your_mom_is_availabl | 6 hours ago
You seem to be an expert on an industry you know little about
No_Ebb1052 | 8 hours ago
You are under the spell of satan
Wertiol123 | 6 hours ago
What an odd thing to say.
mortgagecomplaints | 13 hours ago
Took screenshots of damn near every paragraph of this, lol. Signed, a burnt out tech worker who has watched AI consume every enjoyable part of her job as her company replaces a creative and curious culture with a sole focus on profit.
It was always meaningless, but at least it used to be fun.
Scooted112 | 6 hours ago
Hey, it's not just tech! You are not alone.
My completely unrelated company/industry is also cratering as a sole focus on profit has resulted in significant changes.
Focus on the next quarter and 3-5 years max is really contrary to a company that is traditionally invested in long term infrastructure.
hahasadface | 12 hours ago
This article is fantastic thank you.
> Debord believed escape from the spectacle was impossible. He went on to dissolve his own movement rather than watch it become institutionalized, and then drank himself to death in the countryside.
I had to laugh at this it's so grim. It's the fundamental problem with any expression of counter culture needing to engage with "the spectacle" as he calls it. You either die in obscurity with no one having heard of your ideas. Or you end up with modern burning man, drowning in hypocrisy.
your_mom_is_availabl | 12 hours ago
This is a very sloppy article that mixes together white collar (office) work, knowledge work (includes e.g. lawyers and designers), and tech workers. There is overlap but they are far from synonymous.
Agent_Orange_Tabby | 8 hours ago
After 25yrs in the field, I would choose nursing all over again. It’s not just something I do, it’s something I am. On or off the clock, in case of emergency, if you ask me for help, I’ll show up. It’s fulfilling to feel useful.
Tolkeinn1 | 13 hours ago
Because they’re corporate drones working for some of the worst people making our world much worse at an exponential pace? Because they directly contribute to the dismantling of society and the horrific addiction of smartphones and its attendant maladies? Because they’ve traded any kind of personality for shiny magic glowy boxes which do nothing but lie to you to sell you things, breaking down your individuality piece by piece in order to better shove your denuded soul into an algorithm? Or maybe just cause they’re bored who knows
hahasadface | 12 hours ago
Did you even read the article
your_mom_is_availabl | 12 hours ago
What an ignorant take lmao
Do you think the only tech workers work in AI or social media?
The people who make insulin pumps are tech workers. The people who design airplanes are tech workers. The people who developed the COVID vaccine were tech workers.
Christ on a cracker.
Skimable_crude | 12 hours ago
Yeah. I work for a transportation company supporting their website development. It's not saving the world or even a small piece of it. It does, however, enable people to ship stuf. It also provides me with a means to support myself and my family. I've been in the software development business a long time; I find meaning elsewhere.
Xyzzydude | 12 hours ago
Social media and AI are the most visible and harmful parts of our industry so it’s easy to see an outsider thinking it’s synonymous. But it’s a tiny minority of tech in terms of numbers of workers though not in terms of earning power and bragging about it.
I’ve worked in tech for 40 years. I earn a solid upper middle class salary maintaining the software plumbing that literally runs the entire world economy. I have no issue finding meaning in what I do because I see the consequences when things go wrong.
Tolkeinn1 | 11 hours ago
yeah you know that's not who i'm talking about you goofball. Neither do I believe this is who this article is referring to.
your_mom_is_availabl | 11 hours ago
Ok but words have meaning
Inevitable_Train1511 | 11 hours ago
Loved this so much I bought a subscription.