alt Hacker NewsIf I could get paid a Bay Area software engineering salary to clean the bathroom instead, I think I would actually prefer to clean the bathroom. Software engineering requires me to actually use a large part of my mind. Cleaning the bathroom, on the other hand, would leave my mind largely free to think whatever I feel like. The physical movement is probably better for the body, too.
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There are offshore oil mining rig that needs workers. They pay big bucks too. You get some months off. The physical movement is better than cleaning the bathroom.
No need to thank me. You're welcome.
Very off topic but I think you would highly enjoy watching the movie "Perfect Days (2023)" directed by Wim Wenders.
It had a profound effect on me in introspecting my long software career.
I think the secondary fear is that the big salaries and great working conditions are a result of a scarcity that may be on its way out.
Paying me $150k to do work that produces $1.5M for your business is great value - but getting the same work done for $15k is even better value.
Huh, I like using my mind. The thing I despise about AI in software engineering is that it is much more difficult to engage my mind consistently and fully.
> Cleaning the bathroom, on the other hand, would leave my mind largely free to think whatever I feel like.
I haven't calculated a cube root by hand since, what, sixth grade? (It's been so long I don't remember.) I'd hate to spend the mental cycles having to do that kind of task.