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This brings up an interesting concept. All great creators (artists, programmers, woodworkers, hairdressers, etc) tend to be more pessimistic than optimistic. If you attitude is "Wow this program I wrote is totally awesome, I deserve a pat on the back", then you'll never improve upon your program and you'll end up never improving your skills and will end up a rosh katan[1]. You have to be the kind of person who sees each of your creation in a constant state of less than perfect in order for you to act upon making it better.

Interestingly enough, people on the other end of the spectrum (sales people, executives, marketing people, etc) have to be the opposite. You can't have any doubts about the awesomeness of the product. Doing so would be counterproductive.

[1]http://www.danappleman.com/index.php?p=31



"I deserve a pat in the back" is not an optimistic attitude... It's self-indulging, that's all.

Optimists see bug reports as a way to improve things. Optimists bet on early tech because they see a bright future ahead (rails 0.9? ios 2.0?).

Being pessimistic will only feed your ulcer...


I definitely agree with you on this. Optimism and arrogance are vastly different.


Couldn't agree more, thanks for the link




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