I feel like for the broad median of us, there’s a balance between giving a shit and healthy detachment. Unless you’re at the top, I don’t think working 90 hours a week in with tunnel vision will make you happy, you’ll probably end up burned out and possibly cast aside in a reorg.
On the flip side, I cringe at the posts that go too far in the other direction emphasizing it’s just a job and the job doesn’t love you.
It’s true, on its surface it’s good to have healthy detachment, but it’s also good to take risks, make yourself vulnerable and give a shit. Yes, know that it’s a transactional relationship but then give a shit within that framework. Give it your all, make friends with your coworker, be moderately devoted to the company in the moment, while respecting your own definition of work-life balance and being ready to say goodbye when it’s over.
duxup · 5h ago
I think a level of professionalism is what it is needed.
Professional enough to care that the thing you work on works in the larger sense of the intent of the project, and for everyone involved around you.
Professionally detached enough that when you've had your say and you get your marching orders, you aren't hurt that you didn't get your way.
"Meta invests $14.3B in Scale AI to kick-start superintelligence lab", 400+ comments, https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44268197
On the flip side, I cringe at the posts that go too far in the other direction emphasizing it’s just a job and the job doesn’t love you.
It’s true, on its surface it’s good to have healthy detachment, but it’s also good to take risks, make yourself vulnerable and give a shit. Yes, know that it’s a transactional relationship but then give a shit within that framework. Give it your all, make friends with your coworker, be moderately devoted to the company in the moment, while respecting your own definition of work-life balance and being ready to say goodbye when it’s over.
Professional enough to care that the thing you work on works in the larger sense of the intent of the project, and for everyone involved around you.
Professionally detached enough that when you've had your say and you get your marching orders, you aren't hurt that you didn't get your way.