Do you live in the Real World?
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I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
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I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
When I was a teenager, I was a typical computer nerd. I spent all hours glued to my Sinclair ZX Spectrum, programming away in BASIC and Z80 machine code. Late nights, bleary eyes, no life. Now I am an adult and I could *easily* stay in all hours, coding my own projects - I actually have to remind myself that there is a life outside of this room. So, I make an effort to only work reasonable hours and only on my work projects - no private stuff - if I sat here writing my own apps I could easily be dragged back into digital limbo again. :) Sometimes it is a struggle. Sometimes I want to be sat here coding away late at night while my wife is asleep/watching "Friends" (shudder) but instead I choose to do something different - listen to some music, play my guitar, etc. I will also say that if it wasn't for my wife, I could easily slip back into full-on never-leave-the-house unshaven programmer mode. ;P Oh, and she's right - you ARE compensating for something with that Ferrari - there are operations you can have y'know Marv. he he he. Faith. Believing in something you *know* isn't true.
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I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
Martin Marvinski wrote: Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? Bottom Line: You make your own life and if you enjoy it, then carry on, screw what other people think about your lack of social life. They simply are afraid of what they do not understand. You find your own fullfilment in life and the path you take is up to you. If you feel the need to be more social because of what others say, then you need to strengthen that backbone. If you feel the need to be more social because you are feeling you are lacking something in this digital world, then go out there and make an effort. Don't look for validation or fullfilment in others, that all comes from within. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and to be loved in return - Moulin Rouge Tim Smith wrote: Over here in the third world of humor (a.k.a. BBC America), peterchen wrote: We should petition microsoft to a "target=_Paul" attribute.
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Martin Marvinski wrote: Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? Bottom Line: You make your own life and if you enjoy it, then carry on, screw what other people think about your lack of social life. They simply are afraid of what they do not understand. You find your own fullfilment in life and the path you take is up to you. If you feel the need to be more social because of what others say, then you need to strengthen that backbone. If you feel the need to be more social because you are feeling you are lacking something in this digital world, then go out there and make an effort. Don't look for validation or fullfilment in others, that all comes from within. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and to be loved in return - Moulin Rouge Tim Smith wrote: Over here in the third world of humor (a.k.a. BBC America), peterchen wrote: We should petition microsoft to a "target=_Paul" attribute.
I agree with Paul, and will throw in my 2 cents. Programming, and IT in general, is a fantastic career/lifestyle. I don't think there is any other profession that allows someone in their 20's to gain recognition from peers all over the world. Also the ability to really make a contribution to the [computer] world at large is incredibly empowering. The thing that can screw it up is when you have a doos (wanker) of a manager who doesn't realise this. Well, the worst thing is ppl that use computers for a livelyhood, but don't embrace the impact that they can (should?) have. Cheers, Simon "Every good work of software starts by scratching a developer's personal itch.", Eric S. Raymond
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Martin Marvinski wrote: Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? Bottom Line: You make your own life and if you enjoy it, then carry on, screw what other people think about your lack of social life. They simply are afraid of what they do not understand. You find your own fullfilment in life and the path you take is up to you. If you feel the need to be more social because of what others say, then you need to strengthen that backbone. If you feel the need to be more social because you are feeling you are lacking something in this digital world, then go out there and make an effort. Don't look for validation or fullfilment in others, that all comes from within. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and to be loved in return - Moulin Rouge Tim Smith wrote: Over here in the third world of humor (a.k.a. BBC America), peterchen wrote: We should petition microsoft to a "target=_Paul" attribute.
Paul Watson wrote: You make your own life and if you enjoy it, then carry on, screw what other people think about your lack of social life. They simply are afraid of what they do not understand. You find your own fullfilment in life and the path you take is up to you. If you feel the need to be more social because of what others say, then you need to strengthen that backbone. If you feel the need to be more social because you are feeling you are lacking something in this digital world, then go out there and make an effort. Very wise words, Paul. Most of my life revolves around developing. It's what I love doing, and people who make fun don't bother me in the slightest. Simon I need your clothes, your boots, and your copy of VS.NET. Sonork ID 100.10024 My previous small-print gag was foiled by almost everyone. I will strike again soon.
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I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
Martin Marvinski wrote: Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? I agree with Paul, but I would also like to add my two cents by saying a life outside of computers would help your computer life in more ways than one.
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You won't become as tired of computers as easily.
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Health is important, and computers won't give you that.
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You might actually find other activities that interest you. If you close your mind, you stop really thinking.
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To stay (mentally and physically) healthy, you need human contact and companionship.
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Cybersex does not compare.
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You need stress relievers.
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Your body is your interface for your existence into this world. It should be the first source when seeking pleasures and fulfillment. Good health helps keep you happy. Hell, even your brain functions better when it's healthy.
The list can go on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea. Yeah, I know the joy and pride that can come from making a program that helps someone, but I also know of the joy of other pleasures. It's hard to make comparisons because they aren't directly related to one another, but I can say that computers cannot give you everything you need for a great life. To settle for that means you have given up on yourself IMO. Jeremy L. Falcon Homepage : Sonork = 100.16311
Perseverance pushes past painful promenades - providing precious peace. Surely some striving souls survive symptomatic stress? Maybe my mangling might misguide malicious miscreants? -
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I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
Martin Marvinski wrote: because I happen to own a Ferrari. Hey Martin, we've known each other long enough for you to let me borrow that baby on the weekends huh? :) wink wink; nudge nudge Jeremy L. Falcon Homepage : Sonork = 100.16311
Perseverance pushes past painful promenades - providing precious peace. Surely some striving souls survive symptomatic stress? Maybe my mangling might misguide malicious miscreants? -
I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
Martin Marvinski wrote: Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? my opinion... there no joy in life without a social life. I hangout with my friends every weekend (and some times at week days too). I fell kinda depressed without social life... Mauricio Ritter - Brazil Sonorking now: 100.13560 Trank :jig: I've gone sending to outer space, to find another race :jig:
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I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
I code better with a social life. I frequently have large breaks away from coding as well. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
More about me :-)
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I'm finding my self living a totally digital world. Most of my day is spent on the computer, in front of VC++, CP, CNN, IRC, and various newsgroups and online chess matches. Is my life any less real than those "other" people who go to the grocery store instead of having it delivered from a .com? Just because some lady calls me a " weird loser who is compensating for something", because I happen to own a Ferrari. I happen to have earned that from years of hard work, and a zero social life. I also took a big risk, and started my own firm. Anyway do you guys even have a social life outside the computer? I know Nish, David, CG most likely are in the same boat as I am. Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? :(
Martin Marvinski wrote: Has anyone escaped the curse of the programmer? Why yes, just this past weekend. I went wakeboarding at the lake and otherwise raged for three days. :) I would die if I was stuck inside behind a computer 24/7. My human face-to-face relationships are a very important part of my life. Jon Sagara "These rules could get someone killed, but they're good for academic use." -- one of my professors.