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I think there is a lot of delusion going on here.

In today's modern world, we are intentionally ignoring the rights that were given to us.

8 hours a day was fought for. 40 hours a week was fought for. If you are expected to exceed these limits without compensation, you are being ripped off. You have limited time in this life.

As a developer, you create tremendous value in this world. If you didn't you couldn't demand the salaries that you demand. If it was easy, then the business guys would be learning it and doing it for themselves.

It's a modern skill required by modern business. You should not feel like you are forced to spend every waking moment eating, drinking and sleeping code.

In my personal experiences I have found that I have to force myself to step away. After a few hours the wheels stop spinning, but when I come back I am always excited to work on something. This is far more desirable than feeling the dread that comes from doing something non stop.

Balance is extremely important, I do not understand the opposing viewpoint that we should all be code robots.



It wasn't fought for, it was given to us in fear that we'd negotiate something better. Most people rip themselves off by giving up labour for money, it's a poor mans game, especially in software. Very few people become wealthy playing this game.

Coding for salary is for the most part stupid because you're producing a capital good, it's much better to retain a portion of the capital and have the capital produce your cash flow.


No, the 40 hour week was fought for - before there was ever a software industry. The 8 hour day and the weekend are union accomplishments.


You really need to brush up on the history of worker's rights, even just in America. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homestead_Strike#Battle_on_Jul... Basic rights were literally fought for. Remember when child labor laws didn't exist?


define wealthy?

Most people writing software are wealthier than most of their ancestors and 95% of the world.




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