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You will not change the world with a web app. No one changes the world with a web app. Or an android app. Or an iPhone app.

There's no need to lie. The advice is otherwise good.

The world is vast and has many places that need smart people. Find those places, adapt to what they need and start solving problems in the way you can

The world is built to exploit smart people. I personally think they should focus on themselves and stop caring what other people want out of them, but I don't know whether that'd be best.

Smart people exploit the world, not the other way around

Heh. Cunning people exploit the world. Smart people wind up working for cunning people.

I don't think it's a lie. Most web apps will not change the world. As a community, I think we should be okay with that.

Mike Judd was interviewed recently about Silicon Valley, his new show, and he remarks about the difference between Hollywood and the valley:

Silicon Valley, more even now than when I was there, they’re always talking about how they’re making the world a better place. And maybe in some ways they are, but it’s just funny. Like the richest, most successful people in our business, in Hollywood — just picking an example, J.J. Abrams or [producer] Joel Silver — they’re like, you know, "I want to make really cool stuff. I love what I do." They’re not saying "I’m saving the world through my movies."

While I don't think the comparison to Hollywood of all places is apt I do understand the spirit of what he's saying. Why can't we just enjoy what we do instead of kill ourselves trying so desperately to impress everybody else?

Perhaps that fact alone is enough to lead to serious burnout.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/14/5496482/mike-judge-silicon...

>You will not change the world with a web app. No one changes the world with a web app. Or an android app. Or an iPhone app.

I would assume that the author meant that "you will not change the world with [only] a web app. No one changes the world with [only] a web app..."

Fair enough - that's a good amendment.

My point is that no one will ever change the world with a bit of software. Software is not revolutionary. The processes it describes, and the people it influences, THOSE are what is revolutionary.

The printing press was NOT revolutionary. It enabled revolution, sure, but the tool or the tech itself was not the important part in the grand scheme.

Too much of what I see on this site focuses passion for the tech (which I am all for), mixed with blind ignorance for it's actual importance outside of the very narrow world that is Silicon Valley.

This is wonderful advice and feedback. I agree with kirklove that is sheer wisdom. I know that "right on!" feedback like I'm giving here is adding nothing, but an up-vote is not enough. Thank you blindhippo.

So true. On one side you have tech blogs & hackers launching successful (or not) start ups. But one should not forget that on the other side you still have many people in big companies dealing with pre 90' databases or applications, interacting with their unhelpful computer guy, struggling with ie6 or ie7. You can bring some joy to them one application at a time.

100% yes. Being a hacker is a tool. It's a tricky one because you are not facing the real world, the world you're building for.

At the end of the day the objective of any life should be happiness, giving or obtaining it, ideally both. Always take a step back if you're not getting there.

I concur with this comment. Few years ago I was in a similar situation. I was not in a mission to change the world, though. All I wanted was to be a programmer, good enough to earn enough money. Along the way, I burned out. I have not achieved any of my set goals.

But it was easier for me to move on - or, my situation forced me to move on. You see, I have a wife and 2 kids. I need to continue to work. I didn't become a programmer, but life goes on.

I have other goals I wanted to pursue. Damn, I failed to reach those goals again. And life goes on again.

I want to get better and I fail each time I try. But, I am a better person after every failure. I become a better person because of my failures.

Life is not that complicated if you know when to pick up the pieces and move on.

Fail often. Then move on.

Fantastic comment. Wise in so many ways.