What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT?

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by gdubs on Monday July 23, 2018 @10:38AM (#17593059)

I’ll never forget my college drawing professor. It was a hard class to get into, and I was young and trying to keep up. He came over to my easel, stroked his chin, and said, “yea, looks good.”

Pauses, steps back and says, “I think it can use one little change, may I?”

He then takes a white paint brush and proceeds to erase my entire drawing with it.

“Ah, much better”, he says.

He was a total asshole but had a cult like following. Those of us remaining by the end of the semester loved him. To this day I credit that class with dramatically improving my drawing skills, but it definitely wasn’t for everyone.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by lovich on Monday July 23, 2018 @01:25PM (#17594229)

That sounds like Stockholm syndrome. Telling you your work was bad or even garbage is one thing. Doing a bait and switch in conversation and then destroying someone else's work/property is just abusive

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by pcwalton on Monday July 23, 2018 @02:35PM (#17594758)

I don't recall the studies offhand, but I remember reading that this kind of macho attitude generally has worse results than actually constructive criticism. That wouldn't surprise me. Not many people respond well to this, and it can easily turn into abuse.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by andyidsinga on Monday July 23, 2018 @01:30PM (#17594264)

I wonder what he would have said if you responded : "interesting, I think that's your best work" <with sly grin>

...harsh criticism can be hard to take, I often try (and fail) to inject some humor into the situation to take the edge off.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by debt on Monday July 23, 2018 @10:47AM (#17593118)

Fostering excellence means weeding out the crap as that just brings everyone down and makes everyone else suck.

Even letting minor defects pass implicitly creates a culture where hey minor defects are okay.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by ddingus on Monday July 23, 2018 @03:09PM (#17595054)

I would love that guy. Yeah, he seems brutal from your words here.

But, that can often be what it takes.

I have had similar experiences. Once a person breaks through, the relationship changes.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by dsego on Monday July 23, 2018 @11:08AM (#17593253)

Reminds me of the movie Whiplash (“Were you rushing or were you dragging?”).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What was it like to be a software engineer at NeXT? by sizzzzlerz on Monday July 23, 2018 @11:54AM (#17593587)

Without the cymbal throwing, of course.

[ Parent | on HN ]