The Truth About Finding a Satisfying Career
Why linking your work to your interests can do more harm than good
Feeling unproductive? Maybe you should stop overthinking.
In order to get something done, maybe we need to think less.
In 2026, I’m no longer interested in ‘working on myself’
We think of ourselves as full-time projects, but what if doing so much inner work does more harm than good?
On Making
TLDR: I gain a lot of fulfillment by making things. I don't consider things built by others at my request to be made by me, and are therefore much less fulfilling. And then I feel sad. This article starts strong and then heads off into the weeds.
I'm addicted to being useful
When I get together with my friends in the industry, I feel a little guilty about how much I love my job. This is a tough time to be a software engineer. The job was less stressful in the late 2010s than it is now, and I sympathize with anyone who is upset about the change. There are a lot of objective reasons to feel bad about work. But despite all that, I’m still having a blast. I enjoy pulling together projects, figuring out difficult bugs, and writing code in general. I like spending time with computers. But what I really love is being useful.
Thoughts on thinking
I have been stuck. Every time I sit down to write a blog post, code a feature, or start a project, I come to the same realization: in the context of AI, what I’m doing is a waste of time. It’s horrifying. The fun has been sucked out of the process...
Why Being Bored Is Good | The Walrus
Technology keeps us constantly stimulated. What do we lose when we no longer have nothing to do?
Opinion | The Tyranny of Convenience (Published 2018)
All the personal tasks in our lives are being made easier. But at what cost?
What’s your apocalypse skill? Finding a future-proof hobby can bring fulfilment today
Take inspiration from Doomsday preppers with the idea of learning practical skills.
Opinion | Relax! You’ll Be More Productive (Published 2013)
To be at your peak, don’t work so much.
Boredom is not a problem to be solved. It's the last privilege of a free mind | Gayatri Devi
Lean in to boredom, not your smart phone screen. You’ll learn more about yourself and the world around you than you think
Opinion | Don’t Indulge. Be Happy. (Published 2012)
Once you have about $75,000 a year, earning more doesn’t really help. The secret to consistent pleasure? Buying for others.
dawg what am i even doing afterhours.waow.tech
I got into tech six years ago because I figured I could have an outsized impact on making a less harmful, more empowering world for workers and marginalised people. Only this year, I started connecting IRL with people who think this way. Here I tried to write about the ways that's transformed me.
DWeb, Culture and Resistance
meri.garden
