Ask HN: Finding a purpose after tech layoffs

8 points by fud101 4mo ago ↗ HN

How are you filling your days? A few months ago I was upskilling and prepping for interviews but i've lost all motivation now. I don't want any of this, AI has poisoned the whole ecosystem for good even if one did get back into the game, it all seems like the good old days are over and they were never that great in the first place. I miss having a paycheck more than anything else, even daily standups which I dreaded gave structure and purpose which I am unable to replace.

5 comments

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HeritageLab 4mo ago ↗

This reads less like “AI poisoned the field” and more like the old map stopped working. The paycheck mattered, but so did the structure around it: deadlines, meetings, visible progress, a reason to keep moving. When that disappears, the loss often shows up as disgust with the whole ecosystem because there’s no replacement frame yet.

calloutTime 4mo ago ↗

I’ve started working as a substitute paraeducator for a local school district after being let go from tech. Working with students reveals work that ai will never help with. You can still make a difference.

[dead] allinonetools_ 4mo ago ↗

[flagged]

leet_thow 4mo ago ↗

I'm retiring early and fill my days by exploring 20th century film, music and literature, using LLMs to critically examine them throughout the journey. Basically a free hobby with near limitless source material.

adrianwaj 4mo ago ↗

Why not just build something in the crypto ecosystem while you wait? Coins are cheap (compensation potential) and you can fast-code things.

Recently: https://www.ethnews.com/nasdaq-and-kraken-are-building-a-pla... https://oasis.net/blog/vibe-code-with-oasis https://github.com/orvexpay

Also, one can expect to see Linux on handheld soon (Mecha Comet.)

Also lots of crypto activity in the prediction markets.

I was thinking about some type of app when overseas to deal with translation and commerce combined. Maybe it could tie in with localized prediction markets and local produce?

The alt-season could be soon - once gold enters its bear phase.