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The Hacker Ethos
12 years ago
General
I can't even remember where I read it originally (it was probably in 2600), but I do remember reading an article about hackers. And at one point, the author made the statement that when it comes to doing their job, a lot of times hackers don't even care who gets the credit, they just get the job done. It's an idea that has stayed with me ever since, because not surprisingly, I feel the same way.
I was blessed to see it in action at Anime Expo a few years ago. We (Main Events Technical) were hanging out backstage when a stage equipment rental worker shows up. He's got all the instruments we'll need for all the bands, ready to be offloaded. And slowly it dawned on us that due to a logistical shakeup... there was no backstage staff! No stage manager or roadies! We looked at each other and then one of my camera guys got up. And the rest of us looked at each other and got up and followed. We shagged drum kits, keyboard cases, guitars, amps and more Marshall speaker cabs than I care to remember. It wasn't our job, but we got it done.
The next day, when the bands started realizing they didn't have the right gear, my camera guy took it upon himself to get it all sorted out and squared away. He spent hours checking serial numbers and models and hunting down where the stuff had gone and getting those people the instruments they were supposed to have. Not anywhere near his job description for the weekend. But he did it.
We all did it. All weekend, in addition to our actual technical duties. And we did it with a smile.
So with this ethos in mind, I can understand why I had a bad reaction to a story from a friend about his work. About how he wanted to snag a fellow employee from a contract that had just finished and put that guy in charge of his current contract... so my friend could jump to a bigger, better contract. Because the current contract was too small-potatoes for him to ever advance, and he needed more big-time contracts if he was ever going to make partner in the company... He told it like he was proud of it.
And I was... well... the best term I can use is that I was completely offended by his actions. How could he possibly justify ducking out on his current client because they're not a big enough contract? How do you look your client in the eye and say "Sorry, if I keep working for you I'll never advance my career."? (I'm sure you don't... you just do it and your replacement shows up in your place) What kind of customer service is that? If it was me, you know I'd stick with my client and see them through until the contract was up and we were finished.
But... I guess that's why I'm coming up on 40 and making fast-food wages, while he's five years out of college and knocking down a six figure salary.
"Some of these guys will never make a dime. Some of these guys will die broke and alone. But in the process, they've become the true renegades. And the true rebels always walk alone anyway..."
I was blessed to see it in action at Anime Expo a few years ago. We (Main Events Technical) were hanging out backstage when a stage equipment rental worker shows up. He's got all the instruments we'll need for all the bands, ready to be offloaded. And slowly it dawned on us that due to a logistical shakeup... there was no backstage staff! No stage manager or roadies! We looked at each other and then one of my camera guys got up. And the rest of us looked at each other and got up and followed. We shagged drum kits, keyboard cases, guitars, amps and more Marshall speaker cabs than I care to remember. It wasn't our job, but we got it done.
The next day, when the bands started realizing they didn't have the right gear, my camera guy took it upon himself to get it all sorted out and squared away. He spent hours checking serial numbers and models and hunting down where the stuff had gone and getting those people the instruments they were supposed to have. Not anywhere near his job description for the weekend. But he did it.
We all did it. All weekend, in addition to our actual technical duties. And we did it with a smile.
So with this ethos in mind, I can understand why I had a bad reaction to a story from a friend about his work. About how he wanted to snag a fellow employee from a contract that had just finished and put that guy in charge of his current contract... so my friend could jump to a bigger, better contract. Because the current contract was too small-potatoes for him to ever advance, and he needed more big-time contracts if he was ever going to make partner in the company... He told it like he was proud of it.
And I was... well... the best term I can use is that I was completely offended by his actions. How could he possibly justify ducking out on his current client because they're not a big enough contract? How do you look your client in the eye and say "Sorry, if I keep working for you I'll never advance my career."? (I'm sure you don't... you just do it and your replacement shows up in your place) What kind of customer service is that? If it was me, you know I'd stick with my client and see them through until the contract was up and we were finished.
But... I guess that's why I'm coming up on 40 and making fast-food wages, while he's five years out of college and knocking down a six figure salary.
"Some of these guys will never make a dime. Some of these guys will die broke and alone. But in the process, they've become the true renegades. And the true rebels always walk alone anyway..."
What I think you may be doing here is confusing responsibility and loyalty. I do my best to be responsible and always do the best job I can for a client. This should be standard for everyone. They're paying you, you accepted the role - now be responsible and do the job. However, clients need to EARN my loyalty. Individual people can earn my loyalty, but I've never given it to a company in general. Why? Because the company itself is, essentially, an amoral psychopath; only interested in its own welfare. It's been my experience that, giving my loyalty to a company only lets them use me and abuse me. Loyalty to a company has never earned me learning opportunities, raises or promotions - only more work. Loyalty to individuals is different - building relationships that stretch past contracts and employment and have enriched my life in many ways. That individual loyalty can benefit the company, and can result in raises and better opportunities, but only because the loyalty was directed towards an individual that had power and influence within the company.
There is a certain amount of ruthlessness in the job market. It's extremely rare to find someone out there that has your best interests at heart, so you have to be the one to do that. When considering a job, you have to look at it and decide, "does this job benefit me in some way?" When you are employed, you should ask the same question to yourself now and then. If the answer keeps coming up "no", it's time to look for a new job.
There is some ruthlessness and selfishness involved of course, but there's always a balance. I think you're too far in the selflessness and sacrifice side, and it's making you unhappy. You give and give, and you get little back in return. Perhaps it's time to re-balance things and look for more things that make you happy?