[rodh]

This article hits a nerve for me.

There's in particular a sentence right at the start. "If you're young and think you're hot shit, and there's some reason to believe you are, you can go far, very quickly."

When I think back at my time prior to going to University, I really did think this way. And I had reason to. Even during my time at University, that feeling never escaped me.

Once I entered full-time employment (almost by accident. I had started my own limited company at this point), my attitude changed completely. I was surrounded by so many people so unbelievably more clever than me, I was humbled. It wasn't just their abilities, but their "maturity".

Now I cringe to think of my attitude as little as 5 years ago. And I think I have reason to. Where I used to take pride in "fixing your 6-month problem in 4 days", I now realise I failed on a lot of aspects. I am now much more focused on doing things right. I focus on listening and understanding, on being tolerant and empathetic. I measure my work in quality, maintainability, measurable evidence. Every day I try my hardest to learn and to be a pioneer.

I do think this is a positive improvement. But when I come across an article like this one, and recall my youthful naivety and enthusiasm, I do worry if I haven't perhaps lost something more important.

[ramblerman]

Reminds me of this bit from "Zen and the art of archery"

----

Among swordmasters, on the basis of their own and their pupils' experience, it is taken as proved that the beginner, however strong and pugnacious he is, and however courageous and fearless he may be at the outset, loses not only his lack of self consciousness, but his self confidence, as soon as he starts taking lessons.

He gets to know all the technical possibilities by which his life may be endangered in combat, and although he soon becomes capable of straining his attention to the utmost, of keeping a sharp watch on his opponent, Of parrying his thrusts correctly and making effective lunges, he is really worse off than before, when, half in jest and half in earnest, he struck about him at random under the inspiration of the moment and as the joy of battle suggested.

He is now forced to admit that he is at the mercy of everyone who is stronger, more nimble and more practised than he.

[1123581321]

In all fields this is a middle period before true mastery. Eventually the pupil will respond automatically to these threats and the confidence will return. The fight actually seems to slow down as well. And again, this isn't just in martial arts and athletics.

You say this came from an essay on Zen. I haven't read it, but I will defend the western Aristotelian ideal of mastering the practical knowledge, the "knowledge how" of any activity, including the universal activity of living virtuously, over Zen.

[bluedanieru]

On a related note, the more I would play Smash Brothers, the worse off I would be against people who had never played before and just picked up the controller and smashed buttons.

[dpiers]

| when I come across an article like this one, and recall my youthful naivety and enthusiasm, I do worry if I haven't perhaps lost something more important.

A very skilled young carpenter spends 8 hours making a table, which is a perfectly sound and functional, and is proud of his work.

A very skilled master carpenter spends 250 hours making a table, which is one of the finest ever crafted, and is proud of his work.

Someone tasks both carpenters with creating a table in 10 hours. The first carpenter does so and tells them it is the finest table he has ever made. The second carpenter does so and tells them it was the best he could do in only 10 hours.

Which table do you believe will be of higher quality? Has the second carpenter "lost something more important" along the way?

[elliottkember]

I think this is a terrible analogy and doesn't admit the possibility that the master is able to build both kinds of tables - and that this is why he's the master. In 10 hours he can probably still produce a sturdy, simple table just like he used to. He now has the skill to take the craft to a new level.

[noonespecial]

To bring this into the startup world:

The master shrugs and says "It can't be done" and so doesn't even try.

The young carpenter slaps together something ugly with only three legs that barely stands, but since its the only table available, everyone balances their stuff on it anyway.

This seems like a select spot to insert some distinct SQL jokes... but I think I'll just drop it.

[dwiel]

The skilled carpenter may make the highest 'quality' table, the young one may make a more interesting or novel one.

[Tyrant505]

Wize words. Of course you are fortunate enough to work with such people!