My guiding principles after 20 years of programming (2020) (alexewerlof.medium.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's guiding principles after 20 years of programming, although the exact content is not available. The comments suggest that the article emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, having pet projects, and professional development. Some commenters agree that these principles are essential for growth and innovation, while others express concerns about the potential drawbacks. The discussion revolves around the value of pet projects, learning, and innovation in a professional setting.

Main themes

• continuous learning
• pet projects
• professional development
• innovation
• speculative engineering
• work-life balance

What commenters say

• Having pet projects and learning something new every day is essential for professional growth and innovation.
• Allowing employees to work on pet projects during work hours can be beneficial for the company, but it may also be seen as a luxury or a distraction.
• Some argue that paying employees to work on pet projects is a good investment, as it can lead to new ideas and innovations, while others think it's unnecessary or even a joke.
• The importance of continuous learning and professional development is widely agreed upon, but the best approach to achieve it is debated.
• Some commenters believe that speculative engineering or working on side projects can be valuable, even if they don't always lead to tangible results.
• Others argue that it's crucial to focus on the core tasks and not get distracted by non-essential projects or learning activities.
• The idea of giving employees time to learn and work on side projects is seen as a cost-effective way to promote professional development and innovation.
• There are concerns about the potential risks and drawbacks of allowing employees to work on pet projects, such as the potential for abuse or distraction from core tasks.