I’ve met at least two developers living that life. One worked for a big German corporation. Sometimes he wouldn’t have any work to do for weeks. He got the authorization to work on a hospitality exchange network while in the office. Another one knew how to live on little money. He lived in squatted houses and was an adept dumpster diver. His lifestyle cost him one day of paid work per month. The rest of the time was spent volunteering code, among other activities.

I was deeply inspired by these lifestyles, but it turns out not working for a boss doesn’t fit my personality. I’m too much in need for social validation. Work and suffering are a religion where I live. Programming makes me mostly anxious and I need to be surrounded by colleagues to get comforted. Consumerism is also a religion. I have a hard time being surrounded by people who are able to indulge in consumption while I’m not.