nazgulnarsil comments on The fallacy of work-life compartmentalization - Less Wrong

14 Post author: Morendil 04 March 2010 10:59PM

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Comment author: nazgulnarsil 05 March 2010 11:34:48AM 7 points [-]

I've encountered quite a bit of hostility when proselytizing that viewpoint. I just can't wrap my head around the sort of worldview that causes people to feel bad for giving their boss what they want. I think a lot of overly smart engineering types extend their ego boundaries excessively into the workplace and think of it as their job to "save the company from those bumbling managers."

Comment author: wedrifid 05 March 2010 12:31:22PM 10 points [-]

I've encountered quite a bit of hostility when proselytizing that viewpoint.

It's the sort of viewpoint you're supposed to have, not admit to having.

Comment author: Morendil 05 March 2010 11:50:13AM *  2 points [-]

Upvoted for the point about ego boundaries, but pardon me, "overly smart"??

Yes, when you take on a job for someone, it's wise to focus on fulfilling the request, and to avoid inflicting help that they haven't asked for. And if the managers are bumbling their way around, your interests are also partly at stake (i.e. you may lose your job if the company fails), so it's legitimate to want to do something about that. You have no obligation to do more than update your resume, but you also have the option of trying to improve things.

Comment author: nazgulnarsil 05 March 2010 04:07:01PM 5 points [-]

overestimating your own impact on the company is a classic bias. thinking that you can save a sinking ship is usually kind of silly.

by overly smart I mean that most engineering jobs require quite a bit less rigor than engineers are trained for. at least in the experience of myself and my engineering friends.

Comment author: wedrifid 05 March 2010 04:56:41PM 6 points [-]

Use of the shift key is preferred.

Comment author: wedrifid 05 March 2010 12:34:00PM *  2 points [-]

Yes, when you take on a job for someone, it's wise to focus on fulfilling the request.

It is sometimes even wiser to focus on giving the manager what they really want.