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'Eat, Sleep, Code, Repeat' Approach Is Such Bullshit (signalvnoise.com)
At its I/O developer conference, Google had the message "Eat. Sleep. Code. Repeat." spread everywhere -- walls, t-shirts you name it. Dan Kim, a programmer at Basecamp, has shared an interesting view on the same. He says while he gets the "coding is awesome and we want to do it all the time!" enthusiasm from the company, but he doubts if that's the approach a programmer should take, adding that the company is wittingly or not promoting an "unhealthy perspective that programming is an all or nothing endeavor -- that to excel at it, you have to go all in." He writes: Whether it's racing cars, loving art, reading, hiking, spending time in nature, playing with their dog, running, gardening, or just hanging out with their family, these top-notch programmers love life outside of code. That's because they know that a truly balanced lifestyle -- one that gives your brain and your soul some space to breath non-programming airâS -- actually makes you a better programmer. Life outside of code helps nurture important qualities: inspiration, creative thinking, patience, flexibility, empathy, and many more. All of these skills make you a better programmer, and you can't fully realize them by just coding.
When I hear about a new startup, I drive by their office at 9pm on a Friday evening. If the parking lot is full, and the lights are on, then that company may be successful. But if everyone has already gone home, they will almost certainly fail.
When I noticed that IBM's parking lot was nearly empty by 6pm, I sold all my IBM stock. That turned out to be a smart move.
The assertion in the summary that a "balanced life" makes you a "better programmer" is not supported by any evidence that I have seen. I don't work long hours like I did when I was younger, but I am not as productive either. There is nothing wrong with living a balanced life, but don't kid yourself that there is no tradeoff.