One of the most amazing things I've observed first-hand that I like to remind myself of from time to time: It doesn't matter if you believe in God, Allah, Jesus, Muhammad, Budha, fate, karma, and so on, doing the right thing seems to set the forces of the universe in motion to give you peace and happiness.
There are many times in software development where I could cut corners. It's tempting when deadlines are tight. But I've been burned by technical debt enough times in the past.
So,. over the years, I trained myself to default to do my best to do it right. I remind myself that if I cut corners when I don't have to, I'm just giving myself permission to be lazy and cut more corners in the future. And all the technical debt that builds up has to be paid back eventually, often when we least want to.
If nothing else, doing the right thing means not messing with your future self.
Love that framing Alvin, doing the right thing is not creating problems for your future self. Giving peace of mind instead.
I’ve felt similar things when I was leaving jobs and so on too. It would’ve been easier to just half ass my way out and so on, but it just felt good later to leave things off right.
Well written Louie! I don’t know if I agree though. So many stories of dictators dying peacefully in their sleep. I always say do whatever helps you sleep at night but it’s amazing how broad a range what is moral has among humans. As an example from the amazing book Titan Rockefeller justified ruthless business practices because he believed he was on a holy mission.
You know i’ve still got to read that book, Titan Rockefeller. I have jt.
Your point is very interesting i’m reminded of Saddam and how he died. Or Gaddafi or Hitler. But of course there are many others who don’t get it in this life, still though something tells me their container is messed up.
And speaking of Saddam this video of how he came to power is bone chilling
“The animal meat shell we reside in, and its subconscious, seems to break down unexpectedly when we've been a part of wrong or done wrong.”
This reminds me of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the most popular religious ceremony in ancient Greece. It was progressive in the sense that they let everyone do it, they even temporarily freed slaves. Yet, if you murdered someone, you weren’t allowed to join. It was apparently a vulnerable and hallucinatory ritual, and if you carried such guilt, it would break you.
The Small Bets presentation was fantastically helpful in my exploration of community building. Thanks to the generosity of you and Daniel for hosting it. I'm happier than ever that I've reserved my spot in your world.
There are many times in software development where I could cut corners. It's tempting when deadlines are tight. But I've been burned by technical debt enough times in the past.
So,. over the years, I trained myself to default to do my best to do it right. I remind myself that if I cut corners when I don't have to, I'm just giving myself permission to be lazy and cut more corners in the future. And all the technical debt that builds up has to be paid back eventually, often when we least want to.
If nothing else, doing the right thing means not messing with your future self.
Love that framing Alvin, doing the right thing is not creating problems for your future self. Giving peace of mind instead.
I’ve felt similar things when I was leaving jobs and so on too. It would’ve been easier to just half ass my way out and so on, but it just felt good later to leave things off right.
Another great newsletter, Louie.
On "learning from wrong", I recently published a piece here on Substack on the idea of "anti-mentor".
Perhaps you could find it interesting:
https://open.substack.com/pub/themanagementconsultant/p/anti-mentor-learning-what-not-to-do?r=2k48qd&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I love the “acid in the container” example! I still don’t understand the potato paradox--it appears to me to be conflating 98% with 98kg.
Well written Louie! I don’t know if I agree though. So many stories of dictators dying peacefully in their sleep. I always say do whatever helps you sleep at night but it’s amazing how broad a range what is moral has among humans. As an example from the amazing book Titan Rockefeller justified ruthless business practices because he believed he was on a holy mission.
You know i’ve still got to read that book, Titan Rockefeller. I have jt.
Your point is very interesting i’m reminded of Saddam and how he died. Or Gaddafi or Hitler. But of course there are many others who don’t get it in this life, still though something tells me their container is messed up.
And speaking of Saddam this video of how he came to power is bone chilling
https://x.com/dylanoa4/status/1693746590857494569?s=46&t=8EFbTQ0DVPggrJAtbfhJdw
But in the end a lot of these guys seem to get what they deserve.
I think irrespective of its accuracy your belief is a good one to have :)
“The animal meat shell we reside in, and its subconscious, seems to break down unexpectedly when we've been a part of wrong or done wrong.”
This reminds me of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the most popular religious ceremony in ancient Greece. It was progressive in the sense that they let everyone do it, they even temporarily freed slaves. Yet, if you murdered someone, you weren’t allowed to join. It was apparently a vulnerable and hallucinatory ritual, and if you carried such guilt, it would break you.
Deep. Healing.. something can’t be undone easily.
Note to self: mind is corruptible
"a clean conscience is something you can't buy,"
The Small Bets presentation was fantastically helpful in my exploration of community building. Thanks to the generosity of you and Daniel for hosting it. I'm happier than ever that I've reserved my spot in your world.