[liotier]

> Why can't we just code like professionals ?

Because we put our heart in it - so we code like amateurs. The best professionals are amateurs who just happen to be paid.

[MollyR]

Is it fair to say putting your heart into something makes you an amateur at something ?

I dunno, this feels off. Did I misunderstand the analogy ?

[liotier]

> Is it fair to say putting your heart into something makes you an amateur at something ?

Yes, that is the etymology of the word 'amateur' : 1784, "one who has a taste for (something)," from French amateur "lover of," from Latin amatorem (nominative amator) "lover," agent noun from amatus, past participle of amare "to love" - http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=amateur

Later this word has been used derogatorily, but it is not its original meaning. When people use 'amateur' derogatorily, I believe that 'dilettante' is the more accurate word.

[MollyR]

Thanks, you're one of the reasons I like hackernews. I learn something new every day!

[kazinator]

The professional puts the customer's heart into something, not his own.

My heart says I should spend the next ten weeks optimizing this interesting function that gets called once a year, because all higher priority tasks look like boring grunt work.

[liotier]

> The professional puts the customer's heart into something, not his own.

I like your definition - it puts authenticity in caring for one's partner at the center of the professional relation... First time in a long time that I read "professional" and it does not ring empty !