Clojure Gazette by Eric Normand.
From the end of this essay:
Hi! The Clojure Gazette has recently changed from a list of curated links to an essay-style newsletter. I’ve gotten nothing but good comments about the change, but I’ve also noticed the first negative growth of readership since I started. I know these essays aren’t for everyone, but I’m sure there are people out there who would like the new format who don’t know about it. Would you do me a favor? Please share the Gazette with your friends!
The Biggest Waste in Our Industry is the title of the essay I link to above.
From the post:
I would like to talk about two nasty habits I have been party to working in software. Those two habits are 1) protecting programmer time and 2) measuring programmer productivity. I’m talking from my experience as a programmer to all the managers out there, or any programmer interested in process.
…
You can think of Eric’s essay as an update to Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams by Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister.
Peopleware was first published in 1987, second edition in 1999 (8 new chapters), third edition in 2013 (5 more pages than 1999 edition?).
Twenty-nine (29) years after the publication of Peopleware, managers still don’t “get” how to manage programmers (or other creative workers).
Disappointing, but not surprising.
It’s not uncommon to read position ads that describe going to lunch en masse, group activities, etc.
You would think they were hiring lemmings rather than technical staff.
If your startup founder is that lonely, check the local mission. Hire people for social activities, lunch, etc. Cheaper than hiring salaried staff. Greater variety as well. Ditto for managers with the need to “manage” someone.