Same Stop: Life after 26 years as a programmer for Apple (engineersneedart.com)

Article summary

The author, a retired programmer who worked at Apple for 26 years, discusses their experience with programming after retirement. Initially, they stopped programming, but eventually returned to it, working on personal projects and revisiting old hobbies. The author reflects on their passion for programming and how it has become a significant part of their life again. They also wonder if their experience is unique or if other software engineers share similar feelings about programming.

Main themes

• Programming as a hobby
• Retirement and post-work life
• Work-life balance
• Passion for programming
• Career satisfaction
• Addiction to work or programming

What commenters say

• Some people enjoy programming as a hobby and continue to do it in their free time, even after retiring from a programming career.
• Others view programming solely as a means to a paycheck and do not enjoy it outside of work.
• The idea that people are addicted to work or programming is met with skepticism by some, who argue that it is not a common experience.
• The concept of retirement is seen as outdated, and some people prefer to frame their post-work life as a transition to working on personal projects or pursuing their passions.
• There is a perceived disconnect between the experiences of programmers who enjoy their work and those who do not, with some arguing that the former group is not representative of the broader workforce.
• The relationship between programming and enjoyment is complex, with some people finding it fulfilling and others seeing it as a necessary chore.
• Some commentators argue that the notion of being 'addicted' to programming or work is often used to excuse or justify an unhealthy work-life balance.
• The discussion highlights the diversity of experiences and opinions among programmers, with no single perspective or narrative dominating the conversation.