Currently in the deep-frier:

• ElixirConf EU talk
  • Revising the talk :)
• Video update:
  • If the partner for this video is happy it'll go out today. I expect it will.
  • Probably about halfway through the script for the next one. Overall timeline is a week or two behind with the previous reshoots. This one might be fairly straightforward though.
• Lecture preparations for local campus is under way.

Generous disposition

Something I have appreciated about tech is that I generally encounter a lot of people with a generous way about them. They share of their time, they share of their knowledge, they share code, they share connections and relationships, ideas and argue about who should be treating the other to lunch.

There have been multiple things at play to make that be a thing. A recent factor was the relatively easy money floating around in tech. Easy to get dev jobs (if experienced), easy to get good salaries, easy to negotiate for interesting work. People in good situations have more options to be generous.

Another factor is probably the open source culture. Sharing is almost the default among developers. Technical curiosity and interest tends to overrule concerns about IP, know-how and trade secrets. Devs just want to build things and the only recognition that really matters is among peers. Generosity rules the day.

I've tried to model this in how I do things with Underjord, my community presence and as an employer. Assume possibilities, be proactively generous, be reasonably optimistic.

I want people I've never heard of that reach out to me to at least get a chance to make an impression, the door is open, I'll exchange some emails or even put something on the calendar for a conversation. It'll only scale so far but I try.

When doing things with up-and-coming developers, students and community spaces I try to spend company cash to the benefit of the people. The books will note that I'm doing marketing and it is certainly that but it is mostly about showing an alternative to stinginess as a business strategy. We're healthy. We do well. I'd rather spend on keeping morale high and our public perception friendly than pinch those particular pennies.

I'm optimistic and a little bit pushy. I try to jab, needle and encourage people into trying to do the things they are thinking to do, maybe, someday. No-no, now, tomorrow perhaps?

There is a contraction in the tech market. I think it becomes very important not to become fearful as part of that. Or situations might tighten, comfort gets lost. Lots of people lose jobs and that decidedly sucks. Generosity isn't very much about money though and if we let shareholder, VC and big corp fears shift us on the ground of tech into fearfulness. Then we risk losing a rich cultural streak of openness, sharing and proactive generative activity.

The situation can suck. Doesn't mean everything has to suck.

What are some generosities that have been granted to you that you appreciated? Feel free to email or federate at me via lars@underjord.io or as @lawik@fosstodon.org.

Thanks for attentioning. I appreciate a reader like yourself.