| Actually I would far rather be a Physics PhD, but academia does not accomodate my mental illness of Bipolar-Type Schizoaffective Disorder in the way self-employed Software Consulting does: === http://www.warplife.com/mdc/books/schizoaffective-disorder/ I regard the Computer Industry as much the same kind of Den of Iniquity as Iesu regarded the Money Changer-Infested Temple. Really I would rather have nothing to do with computers but I must pay the rent somehow. All I ever wanted was to create something of real lasting value that I would leave behind after I'm gone. When I attended the Portland Startup Weekend a couple years ago, some Cute Young Thang pitched an iOS App that would help her make new friends by hooking up with nearby strangers who were running that same App. I can really see how a sexual predator would really get into that. Some other guy pitched an App that would help him try out new kinds of beer. I was at the time easily twice the age of everyone else in attendance, even the Startup Weekend Staff. They were all wearing blue jeans, t-shirts and sneakers, I was wearing a medium grey pinstripe suite, a pale blue polka-dot tie and black leather dress shoes. I was very tired as I had not slept in days so I was unable to give my full pitch as I had rehearsed it, but more or less: "Why are you even in this business? What are you going to leave behind for your loved ones when you're gone?" "Will any of the code you write this weekend still be in use ten thousand years from now?" I pitched my proposal for an automated free website critique tool, that enable most web designers to fix the most common mistakes, but meant to make some coin through paid, more in-depth critiques as well as web design, website operation and SEO consulting. I have known very well that I have been in the wrong line of work for over twenty years yet I cannot seem to find my way out. I may know how to get out of coding now though but it remains to be seen. |