I would like you to read the article The Best jobs for smart, but lazy people published at
http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20140228-jobs-for-the-smart-but-lazy
and comment on/discuss it. Make your own list of such jobs in Poland;)
English Conversation Course for Part-Time Students
I must disagree with the statement that being a programmer is an easy task. Of course you don't have to lift heavy weights, but sometimes it's more exhausting than that. First of all you have to learn new language or create one, then adapt it to your purposes. You have to think about every bug, mistake or possibility, so it might be mentally exhausting, stressful and after a while you can get frustrated, when you don't see the error. I have the impression, that the author of the article thinks that programing is very easy and it's only copy-paste method. The same goes with graphics and designers - they only sit and draw, everybody can draw, so why should I pay that much money for logo. People do not realize how hard it is. (for all my artistic friends: https://www.facebook.com/BriefCoZnosiPsychikaGrafika?ref=stream - you are not alone).
ReplyDeleteIf I have to create my own list of such jobs in Poland without doubt the easiest job would be..... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hGaoyfbrsI)... politician. They were smart enough to win elections and later on, they do not have to fill their obligations. How many times have you seen practically empty room in Sejm? And what would your boss do to you if you wouldn't get to work? And their salary is way too high compared to the work they do.
If I should pick office job I would go for IT support - those guys spend most of the time playing around and do something only when they're needed.
And the last group of job, to create my personal TOP 3 - would be critics. Food, movie, book. They're smart, they have knowledge, but they have to mark others work. Maybe it's similar to the expert position , mentioned in the article, but I've read recently about bed tester... How hard could that be?
I have to join you in your disagreement about programming being an easy job (I’m a programmer myself:) As you mentioned - it’s not only copy-pasting the code that already exists. Of course - a lot of cases recur, that is why we have things like design patterns, but we have to remember that very language and every project is different and we cannot just copy the solution that we (or someone else) implemented half year ago, because it just won’t fit and won’t work in this new environment.
DeleteJust to prove my point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvWwMgMQmsY
ReplyDeleteI can not agree with findings presented in this article: being an expert is not a job for lazy people. The world around us is changing very fast so every domain of our every day life alters as well. Some things that are certain one day, the next day might be outdated.Of course, every domain is based on some well-known foundations, but being acquainted with those foundations does not make somebody an expert. Expert is a person who is in touch with news all the time, follows emerging innovations, collects newly appeared data, upgrades his information. Expert is somebody who attains knowledge from multiple sources. Can you name an expert a doctor with transplantation specialization, who obtained diploma over 40 years ago but he stopped to enrich his knowledge with the newest information concerning the field of his specialization? I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteThe same thing can be said about language teachers. Polish language changes, and some visible differences can be noted in comparison to how it looked like couple years ago: for example in spelling or punctuation. Therefore, to be fully competent teachers should do some work in order to update their knowledge.
Therefore I believe that both - teacher and expert need to put a lot of effort to be reliable and competent. That is why, in my opinion, those occupations are not at all ideal for lazy people.
When it comes to professional programmer, I totally agree with what Jakub wrote.
One point on a list does not make the list, but the only thing that came up to my mind is - journalist. While watching TV I am 100% sure that most of them is not doing a decent research when creating television materials. That is why I think that all you have to do when you are a journalist is to associate some facts, talk smoothly and use wise words and it is sufficient for TV material.
I can't agree with some parts of this article. Author has no idea about programming and he quotes some guy without veryfing it. Also being an expert is presented in an unprofessional manner. As it was already pointed above, it's not so easy! Of course we can say that someone can be an Expert and can be an "expert". It means someone can learn during his whole life, develop skills and getting knowledge day by day but on the other hand an "expert"can by a lazy "I-have-no-idea-but-I-will-say-something-anyway" person.
ReplyDeleteThe point I can agree concerns english teachers abroad. Piotr, you write about hard part of being language teacher and I think you're right. But only when speaking about real teachers who - as everyone who would like to be professional and up to date - are not resign from the continuous self-development. Situation abroad is quite different, especially in Asia as it's mentioned in article. I have a friend who lives in Thailand and is definitely not a professional teacher. He's event not borned in English-speaking country. He speaks English very well but he's from Poland and has no background for teaching. And this is not an obstacle for him - he lives in Bangkok and is part-time English teacher mostly for asian people. He is exactly the person described in article - very smart but even more lazy. And he lives in a manner mentioned in the article.
The article cited the opinions of people who think that the job that they exchanged is easy - what can be understood as suitable for lazy people. They aren’t representatives of groups that pointed out, so how can they know it? Exactly the same as the predecessors I can’t agree with the statement that the work as a programmer is for lazy people.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to being 'an expert' in any field - I suspect not without reason this word is in quotes. Expert - a person of theoretical and practical knowledge of the topic. Unfortunately, today there is a tendency to abuse this title - someone graduated at some field of study – probably knows anything about it – so is an expert. The same situation with the expert from magazines or websites - in the short characteristics of the author we always find - 'expert in the field ..' - regardless of experience, knowledge of the person - the articles seem to be more reliable – (how many people verify this information?) after all, is written, he is an expert.
The teaching profession, in terms of our country hasn’t a lot to do with laziness. For lesson, you have to be properely prepared, to be able to answer any questions asked by the students (not always about lesson topic), to control the class, talk for a few hours to pupils or students, to be flexible, depending on the level of knowledge of the group - who has never tried, this seems to be easy for him indeed. However, It is a matter of what kind of teacher the person wants to be.
Because I don’t know the exact specifics of the various professions, it is hard for me to answer which job is most appropriate for smart but lazy people. I think the best advice is: “Do a job you love. If you love what you do it never feels like "work" , it feels like a hobby.” by Thomas Goodwin - another member of discussion, based on which the article was created.
I don't really think that you guys look at the big picture here. Programmers of course have rather good knowledge, skill in the field that they are working in and it takes some time and work to become one. Programmers effort during his work is purely intellectual, basically all it takes to complete the task is just an idea on how to do it and then type a line or two ;) I've been working as a programmer since I realized how hard is to work as a physical worker for instance: in transportation, as a courier working 10-14 hours a day or as an office worker with a lot of monotonous tasks. My parents work in that professions and they are nowhere near lazy, I would rather say about myself that I'm lazy. Like 10 times lazier. I'm the king of laziness in comparison to my father who works as a physical worker, really. My parents, they work their ass off and they almost never see monthly paycheck big as the one that programmer gets. So stop whining, we're smart, lazy and lucky.
ReplyDeletePaweł I think that you are right you are lazy. I have to admit that I’m lazy as well. Just to add something to your answer. I think that programmers are lazy – if they weren’t they would not think about how to make something simpler to do less for the same money.
DeleteI need to add one more thing. The laziest people in Informatics are administrators. Thus creatures are so lazy that they even spend dozens of hours creating scripts that will magically configure whole server or even infrastructure just by one click of the mouse… I really think like that because I’m server administrator and I hate to do the same thing twice…
And sometimes I need to repeat one thing 1000 times per day… I would really cut my veins if I would do this all manually. So I think for some time to create some script to do this for me. This gives me some time to drink coffee with my work colleagues and read some articles in newspaper or internet.
Being lazy is nothing bad if that laziness is not connected to laying on bad and doing nothing instead of making our tasks done.
I think you're describing being smart and/or clever, not being lazy. I think lazy person will not make any script - this person will find someone who will do it instead. I still think programmers are not lazy people (especially if they don't think "I've learned, now I just want to make money". Paweł, you're right about your parents but I know a lot of people who work as a physical worker just because they said "I don't want to go to school anymore, I'm tired after high school". A lot depends on motivation, not only on profession.
DeleteActually I agree with this article but just with part of it. There are ofcourse better suited job for those who are smart but lazy. But I think that id depends from the person not the job itself. You can be lazy programmer and you can be hard working one. I agree with @Agnieszka programming and being and expert consumes a lot of time so sometimes there is no time for lazyness. And sometimes it is not bad to be lazy as @sławomir salwin said. Sometimes it can be somehow creative. All in all I think the author is smart but too lazy to find more attractiwe subject for his article:P
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to lay down the definition of „being lazy”. For me it's something between „I have a need for something different today” and „Why am I doing so stupid thing, when I can do something interesting?”. What I'm trying to say is that when you're doing what you really like, it's hard to say it's exhausting even if you are an athlete after an olimpics run. Being lazy at work means rather that someone has no idea of what they like or chose money over feeling of accomplishment or even joy.
ReplyDeleteBut if I had to point out „professions for lazy people” it would be exactly English teacher in eastern country. As far as I know thing about teachers in Asia being ordinary people without proper education is true. Employers want only their English speaking skills, that usually are theirs native skills.
The article is written in a too-general language, and the auhor misses the point about being an expert (or expert programmer, expert graphics designer etc). To become an expert programmer, one have to comprehend vast knowledge, as well as have strong practice in this field. This consumes a lot of time and sacrifices. Once this programmer reaches this expert level, it is natural that he will have the ease to solve a particular problem which would be effortless for him, but from a beginner/intermediate standpoint it seems like lightyears away.
ReplyDeleteIt is applicable to all roles, the thing is how much natural talent in certain job does one have and how easily can he/she absorb knowledge.
I don't find jobs listed in article as jobs for lazy people - all mentioned jobs are the ones for specialists. I don’t consider people that graduated from collage as being lazy - I just don’t believe that it’s possible.
ReplyDeleteMoreover being a teacher, programmer or expert requires an activity from you - as a teacher you have to prepare all the classes in advance, as a programmer you have to analyze the problem that you need to solve, as an expert you have to educate yourself all the time to be able to continue being an expert. So these are not jobs for lazy people.
As I were to choose one - maybe I would choose being a security guard?
I had to rethink a few things and came to the conclusion that my job is for almost the most lazy people in our country, it is a Project Manager in IT projects. If you really want to spend your day on drinking coffee and talking to other PM's, participating in useless meetings you should really choose a project manager for long-time projects. BUT in my opinion if you really want to be the laziest person EVER, your should try to be a Team Manager or Chief Officer (Department Director). All above is 50/50 truth and lie. Because most of us know that being a manager means distributing tasks between employees and after that of course your 50% of the time will be drinking coffee and making stupid phone calls but on the other hand guys like CEO or any other Chief Officers carries a heavy piece of responsibility on their shoulders and it is a very stressful job.
ReplyDeleteIn polish realities I think one of job opportunities for "lazy" people is government jobs.
ReplyDeleteThose people in tax office, city hall and so on. One called "urzędnik".
You just need to learn an "algorithm" ones and then repeat it over and over again. You don't need to think. Your working hours are from 8 to 4 with an hour break or more. You can ignore telephone ringing. You can find a small mistake in a form and ask person to fully re-write it. You have power!
p.s. all above is sarcasm and not aim to offend government workers.
I think you should take the article with a pinch of salt. Does the author really think that English teaching or computer programming are easy and pleasant jobs? As there are some practising or wanna-be programmers among us, I find the article even a bit insulting. ;->
ReplyDeleteHowever, I understand the author's point of view. To the jobs listed I would add mystery client. You go to a restaurant, eat, drink and have fun, and you get paid for that! However, your opinion and improvement suggestions must be really useful and considered so that the restaurant's owner benefits from them greatly.
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ReplyDeleteI also have to disagree with the programmer part, because it seems to be one of the hardest job as I see my programming colleages. It surely depends on what type of programmer the person is and how much responsibility he has. My favorite part of this article is the Expert part which is 100% right but you have to be old enough to have proper experience in order to be a true expert. So that makes sense because you worked hard your whole life in the industry and now you can be lazy and be an expert.
ReplyDelete