Ask HN: Finding a purpose after tech layoffs

8•fud101•16h ago

How are you filling your days? A few months ago I was upskilling and prepping for interviews but i've lost all motivation now. I don't want any of this, AI has poisoned the whole ecosystem for good even if one did get back into the game, it all seems like the good old days are over and they were never that great in the first place. I miss having a paycheck more than anything else, even daily standups which I dreaded gave structure and purpose which I am unable to replace.

Comments

HeritageLab•16h ago

This reads less like “AI poisoned the field” and more like the old map stopped working. The paycheck mattered, but so did the structure around it: deadlines, meetings, visible progress, a reason to keep moving. When that disappears, the loss often shows up as disgust with the whole ecosystem because there’s no replacement frame yet.

calloutTime•16h ago

I’ve started working as a substitute paraeducator for a local school district after being let go from tech. Working with students reveals work that ai will never help with. You can still make a difference.

fud101•16h ago

Thanks that was my first impulse but in only a few years, it's become much harder to get back into teaching. I had a strong resume and reference but it wasn't enough to even get an interview for a community college gig.

marysminefnuf•12h ago

as a teacher trueeeee

allinonetools_•15h ago

I have seen a few people go through this after layoffs. One thing that helped them was keeping a small daily routine — building something small, learning one thing, or contributing somewhere. Structure makes a bigger difference than we expect.

leet_thow•14h ago

I'm retiring early and fill my days by exploring 20th century film, music and literature, using LLMs to critically examine them throughout the journey. Basically a free hobby with near limitless source material.

Blackstrat•12h ago

But, how is that helping you? It's akin to reading other peoples reviews. Shouldn't you watch the film and do your own critical analysis? Relying on the LLM self defeating.

adrianwaj•55m ago

Why not just build something in the crypto ecosystem while you wait? Coins are cheap (compensation potential) and you can fast-code things.

Recently: https://www.ethnews.com/nasdaq-and-kraken-are-building-a-pla... https://oasis.net/blog/vibe-code-with-oasis https://github.com/orvexpay

Also, one can expect to see Linux on handheld soon (Mecha Comet.)

Also lots of crypto activity in the prediction markets.

I was thinking about some type of app when overseas to deal with translation and commerce combined. Maybe it could tie in with localized prediction markets and local produce?

The alt-season could be soon - once gold enters its bear phase.

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Comments

X is selling existing users' handles

Tell HN: Apple development certificate server seems down?

Ask HN: Is Claude down again?

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Ask HN: How are people doing AI evals these days?

Ask HN: How do we build a new Human First online community in the LLM age?

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Ask HN: How to be alone?

Ask HN: What on this "List of Unsolved Problems in Physics" Has Your Attention?

Ask HN: Please restrict new accounts from posting

Ask HN: Most beautiful personal blog UI you have ever seen?

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Ask HN: Can I repurpose a Bluetooth voice remote as input device for a PC?

Tell HN: I'm 60 years old. Claude Code has re-ignited a passion

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