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Comment by throwway390 | Hacker News Reader

GP's post reminds me that I fail to understand how people can come out and say they want their kids to be in tech like them. Just go through a few article titles: death, loneliness, diseases, therapy, antidepressants, OCD... Do you really want to put your kid in an environment like this, deny him the chance of enjoying life like a normal person?

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Because they don't want them to have less than $500 in their savings account, like a normal person.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/12/pf/americans-lack-of-savings...

That is crazy! I had no idea about this. Also taking into account that America has next to no social safety nets it's really crazy.

Is this stuff less prevalent in other fields? In tech, you never realistically need to worry about money or losing your job (as it is so easy to find another) - most people don't have this comfort. IMO tech is an excellent career. Just don't become a big spender so that you have to work till your sixties.

It is more prevalent. People in tech also work long hours, have "side projects" aka somewhat expected unpaid work, are unhealthy, seem to not exercise, play video games too much, watch too much tv...

the list goes on

Is it more prevalent because we have hard data showing it is, or do we think it is more prevalent because we typically speak with more people in tech because we're in tech and have more experience with them?

I am now a few years post-divorce and in a relationship with a wonderful future wife v2.0, and I will be the first to tell you that my perspective on others', careers, and behavior patterns has changed significantly because I'm exposed to a very different slice of American culture than I was with wife v1.0. You'll find similarities where you didn't expect to find them. The same is true of differences.

Congratulations on the new release!

I'm looking at data from the UK. Computer Programmers seem to be on the upper end of skilled, non-managerial labor.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3034883/table/T...

Still lower than a lot of other professions. I do wonder how the difference in work-culture affects the data though. I have talked to programmers in the UK who say that the environment is completely different -- 35-40 hour weeks rather than the churn and burn that you see at a lot of businesses here.

All my (UK) programming gigs have been 37.5 hours and I'e never had to work overtime. Generally it's optional at a higher rate of pay.

Mabey this is more an American problem? I live in Sweden and developer jobs here are fairly low pressure, high pay and everything else the rest of the industry has: 1 year maternity leave, 6 week paid vacation etc. I would definitely recommend it to anyone!

"In tech, you never realistically need to worry about money or losing your job (as it is so easy to find another) - most people don't have this comfort."

This is a misconception. If you work in a cost-centre (biz speak for not making direct dollars) your task maybe cut. I've seen whole divisions in corporations cut when savings were required. Startups are notoriously flakey for employment for reasons other than direct failure. If you work in an area with measurable sales (product) you may make a lot of money.

Tech at the moment reminds me of Rock music in the 70's. Lots of cash splashing about, deals done, people making money in making music. If there is a re-adjustment due to technology, for example the move to coughDigital/CDscough in the 80's using our music analogy?

Different perspectives, I suppose, but I recommend programming to anyone who has a head for it. Admittedly, perhaps the culture is different away from the big tech hubs or startup culture or what have you. I've only been working in the field a few years in two positions, but both were fairly low-pressure positions with 40-hour workweeks, a few weeks of paid time off, and reasonable but not amazing pay. For reference, I've done ERP development at a CD manufacturer in Pennsauken, NJ, and air traffic software development for the FAA near Atlantic City, NJ.

Seems to me like there are plenty of jobs for people to get into tech and make a decent living, if they prioritize for their happiness rather than compensation or doing something 'cool'.

The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.

Do alot of parents try to decide what their kids should be doing with their lives when they become grown ups? That in itself sounds like a reason the kids will end up in therapy.

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