Ask HN: What good have you done writing software?

2 points by matt_f 5 years ago | 2 comments

I'm a junior developer working for a tiny < 10 people company. We provide something good, but it's not really changing the world for a lot of people.

I frequently revisit it a personal question of how (if it is even really possible) to do some real-world good by writing software.

As programmers, we have the power to organize and shape information and make it publicly available; to streamline inefficient processes; to build platforms for communication and collaboration; to create tools for others to build things with, or with which to run their businesses.

It seems like we have, relatively speaking, a lot of power at our fingertips, which could be harnessed for good.

Yet I don't know exactly what I can do that would be really useful in the re world for people's actual needs.

I would like to ask the more experienced developers and entrepreneurs out there: What have you done with writing software that, in your estimation, has truly impacted the world in a positive way?

What advice would you give for someone seeking to do the same, and looking for a clear direction to advance that goal?

What do you think is a worthy and useful use of your time, such that you could sit on your deathbed and think "I did something good with my time"?

ocdtrekkie 5 years ago |

I think people sometimes set expectations too high for "what good?" I used to provide a lot of nearly free IT service for senior citizens that lived near me. Was I changing the world? No. But I changed the world for several dozen people who were no longer paying for $120 Geek Squad trips to get bare minimum quality service. I saved people a lot of money and taught them some good practices for using their computers and maybe that's enough?

Biggest thing though in software development is: Don't end up creating harm trying to change the world for the better. You might think you're developing free services for the world, but if you're violating their privacy, censoring their speech, and radicalizing the disenfranchised, you may be affecting billions but it may not be for the better.

matt_f 5 years ago | |

Applaud you for that effort. They're an underserved community.