Software Drives People Insane
The author argues that the high-pressure environment of software development, characterized by rapid change and abstraction, can negatively impact the mental state of those involved. The piece suggests that the lack of physical friction in digital creation leads to unrealistic expectations and constant, unnecessary volatility in project management.
Why it matters
It provides a cultural critique of the tech industry's 'move fast' ethos and its psychological toll on software professionals.
I have a little pet theory that software drives people insane.
Not in the "wash your hands every thirty minutes like Howard Hughes" kind of way, but more so in how the conditions surrounding software seem remarkably effective at making otherwise normal people lose their sense of proportion.
I've watched this happen enough times from enough angles that I don't think it's entirely a personality problem.
Software combines speed, money, complexity, abstraction, and almost unlimited freedom to change your mind. On their own, those things are perfectly manageable, but put them together and you start to get some really bizarre side-effects.
Most software, when you strip away the branding and architecture diagrams, is remarkably boring. A form here, an API endpoint there, sprinkle in some permissions, calculations, workflows, and a database somewhere. Maybe a queue if you need to scale something (or you're feeling adventurous).
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