> instance of the "nobody likes a know-it-all" problem
Excellent insight. I think this exactly captures the dev environment. The more complicated code was viewed as a threat, the rival worth taking down a peg or two via management chain.
For juniors reading this who have the same experience. "Nobody likes a know-it-all" is context dependent. It's absolutely true of lots of professional settings. Simplicity over flexibility, avoid confusing language constructs, preference for lots of time at the keyboard and languages that encourage this.
The lifelong learning, software craftsman, reflect on the process philosophy advocated in various places is completely at odds with that setup. Trying to get better is unpopular with those who are not improving.
Both are valid life choices. Software has been a comfortable place to put in your seven hours at the office and go home. It's also a world to explore bounded only by your imagination and intellect. Beware spending decades working with those who fear the unknown if you'd like to be one who discovers novelty.
Or more concisely, if your incentives are misaligned with those of your colleagues, consider getting out of there.
Excellent insight. I think this exactly captures the dev environment. The more complicated code was viewed as a threat, the rival worth taking down a peg or two via management chain.
For juniors reading this who have the same experience. "Nobody likes a know-it-all" is context dependent. It's absolutely true of lots of professional settings. Simplicity over flexibility, avoid confusing language constructs, preference for lots of time at the keyboard and languages that encourage this.
The lifelong learning, software craftsman, reflect on the process philosophy advocated in various places is completely at odds with that setup. Trying to get better is unpopular with those who are not improving.
Both are valid life choices. Software has been a comfortable place to put in your seven hours at the office and go home. It's also a world to explore bounded only by your imagination and intellect. Beware spending decades working with those who fear the unknown if you'd like to be one who discovers novelty.
Or more concisely, if your incentives are misaligned with those of your colleagues, consider getting out of there.