Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with worksucks

I don't want to stick it to the man, I just want nothing to do with him.

Netzapper — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:53:15 -0800

I'm a bright, creative, productive computer programmer close to the beginning of my career. I'm currently employed at a startup I really like, with relatively interesting work, and generally feel positive (or neutral) about going and spending time at the office each day. But, for a myriad of reasons, I despise having a job. I absolutely cannot imagine doing this for the rest of my life. Other than turning to a life of crime, in what ways might I support myself without having a traditional job? The things I hate most about a job:

The constant carrot-and-stick manuevering of primate hierarchical structures.

Conforming to schedules decided and defined by other folks, with priorities and motivations I find frequently find laughable or counterproductive.

The concepts of vacation, sickdays and "personal days". As if I somehow belong to the company, and must ask permission to go where I wish.

The idea that somehow monetary compensation makes up for behavior I would never tolerate from a friend.

I'm not interested in "paying my dues" and moving up in said hierarchical structures; having my boss's job sounds worse than mine.

The obvious answer is to start my own company. While I'm certainly considering that very strongly, I can't say that I'm particularly interested in business--I'm an engineer. Furthermore, I have a net worth measurable with four significant digits, and seeking outside investors just results in a new set of folks to whom I'm beholden. And, of course, if it goes somewhere, and I wind up with employees, I'm back in the same damn boat--I'm just the captain.

I've done a bit of consulting work. I find it even less tolerable than a regular job. Not only am I doing mercenary work in which I'm not invested,

Is my only option just to buy a cabin in Montana and become a hermit? My girlfriend probably won't like this much.

(Answers such as "suck it up, that's how life works" will be regarded as the repititious mantra of the unimaginative.)

Not having a shrink is driving me crazy...

hamster — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:25:11 -0800

Shrink me: I had to reschedule a long-awaited appointment with a new shrink because of a work conflict, and it'll be two weeks before I can see another person. I called another clinic my insurance recommended, but they're booked up even longer. I'm not suicidal, but I am feeling like I need to get in to see someone soon, if only because I'm in a fair deal of emotional tumult and would like some help making the hurting go away. Any tips for getting in to see someone this week? Ideally they'd be close to home, kind, and serve ice cream...

I can't think in this place!

knave — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 11:24:19 -0800

Help me drown out the world. Where can I find quality MP3s (or other) of nature sounds, running water, birds, etc, that I can listen to at my desk? Preferrably the recordings would be ten or more minutes long, I don't want to loop a 12 second clip over and over again.

Related question, what do you listen to at work to relax and drown out everyone else? I have the brainwave generator software, but it is not the most pleasant thing to listen to. All suggestions welcome.