That part annoys me. It's surprising how many students (even my coworkers who are juniors or seniors in their CS or CIS degrees) have no interest in programming outside of their degree. I showed my CS coworker a multiplayer game I made in the browser and instead of being like "cool how does it work", like an old CS graduate I knew, he was like "I bet that was hard" and goes back to facebook.

Meh, maybe you're looking at it the wrong way. Why should a classmate or coworker (unless they're a friend) take any interest in what YOU are doing? It's really not worth getting annoyed over.

Maybe I'm not getting the entire picture or story, but if I were at work with an acquaintance (note: not a friend), I'd probably do the same thing. I go to work to work, not socialize about random, unrelated side projects (I still socialize exceptionally well to exceed job expectations and I bullshit with coworkers, when appropriate, to keep company/worker morale up). And if there is nothing to do at work, I'd value Facebook over some guy's personal interest.

Nihilism and "anti-social" behavior aside, maybe the guy just brushed you off because he isn't as experienced or knowledgeable as you in the subject of game design. He probably has at least a slight interest, but would rather not make himself look "dumb". It's all perspective.

But yeah, just relax a little. Life is too short to worry about people not taking interest in your pride.



And regarding the OP, no, my friends don't suck (I have maybe 2-4 friends, and they're all real good ones). Personally, I have a strict standard for calling/accepting people as a friend; though, I do have a number acquaintances. So I'm probably an outlier in this thread.

From your first post, it seems that you're a little clingy or need too much social interaction to keep you happy. And if I'm wrong, and they're legitimately sucky friends, there is nothing wrong with looking elsewhere for friends. People come and go. Change is good (but dont vote for change )

Meh, maybe you're looking at it the wrong way. Why should a classmate or coworker (unless they're a friend) take any interest in what YOU are doing? It's really not worth getting annoyed over.

I'm pretty sure the point wasn't that they didn't take an interest in his projects, but rather that they don't take any interest in programming outside of what they HAVE to (eg, for uni or work). I've encountered this a LOT myself and its frustrating when they later come to me to either whine about not finding jobs or to ask me to recommend them to my employers.

If they don't put in the effort then its no surprise they cannot find jobs and I can't rightly recommend somebody who I've only ever seen do programming when they absolutely had to. Instead I'll recommend the people who program in their own time, who work on projects other than those set for them to work on by the uni, who attend user groups, conference, meetups and getherings. Basically, people who show an interest.


Besides, how can somebody hope to show off their skills and abilities if they never program in their own time? For a new graduate who probably has no professional experience yet, this is pretty damned important IMHO. In my previous employer, I was involved in selecting (new graduate and internship (ie not yet graduated)) candidates to invite to interviews. The people who showed any kind of interest, hopefully by having personal projects, got interviews. Everyone else did not. Why? Because everybodies CV/resume looks the exact same when they are fresh-out-of-college graduates with no professional experience and listing uni projects that I myself also did when I studied as "experience" simply isn't impressive. Somebody who did something by themselves, in their own time, out of their own interest/ingenuity/initiative is much more impressive. Show, don't tell me that you're a good programmer.



(I'm not saying that you won't find a job if you don't program in your own time, just that in my personal experience, it is harder if you don't - at least until you've had your first full time programming job anyway)

I'm pretty sure the point wasn't that they didn't take an interest in his projects, but rather that they don't take any interest in programming outside of what they HAVE to (eg, for uni or work). I've encountered this a LOT myself and its frustrating when they later come to me to either whine about not finding jobs or to ask me to recommend them to my employers.

If they don't put in the effort then its no surprise they cannot find jobs and I can't rightly recommend somebody who I've only ever seen do programming when they absolutely had to. Instead I'll recommend the people who program in their own time, who work on projects other than those set for them to work on by the uni, who attend user groups, conference, meetups and getherings. Basically, people who show an interest.

They could have their own interests in non-work/school programming but not care what others do with their own time. They're not socializing with you, that's fine. Just don't recommend them. No need to be frustrated.

Besides, how can somebody hope to show off their skills and abilities if they never program in their own time? For a new graduate who probably has no professional experience yet, this is pretty damned important IMHO. In my previous employer, I was involved in selecting (new graduate and internship (ie not yet graduated)) candidates to invite to interviews. The people who showed any kind of interest, hopefully by having personal projects, got interviews. Everyone else did not. Why? Because everybodies CV/resume looks the exact same when they are fresh-out-of-college graduates with no professional experience and listing uni projects that I myself also did when I studied as "experience" simply isn't impressive. Somebody who did something by themselves, in their own time, out of their own interest/ingenuity/initiative is much more impressive. Show, don't tell me that you're a good programmer.


(I'm not saying that you won't find a job if you don't program in your own time, just that in my personal experience, it is harder if you don't - at least until you've had your first full time programming job anyway)

While you have a valid point about getting your foot in the door and CV/Resumes, you're missing the point of what I was saying. It isn't about the people who aren't doing anything, it is about the poster's own frustration about people not taking interest in his work. I was saying that he shouldn't be annoyed that people aren't interested in his work.

And regarding the uninterested, workaholics who don't have personal projects to list, they'll still get hired (albeit probably not top-tier jobs) because they are disposable and can get the job done. With the economy the way it is, they'll be satisfied just to have a job.

I had a similar situation in college. There was a group of friends I used to see a lot when we lived very close together in the dorms, but after the dorms I would hardly hear from them. I always seemed to be an after thought - they'd invite me when somebody else canceled and they had an extra ticket, etc. After about 3 years of this (yes, I'm a slow learner) I changed my focus to another group of friends I had, and now everything is alot better.

Another thing I've learned: One really good friend is worth 100 mediocre ones. I used to try to be friends with everybody, and spread my time out between them all. This doesn't work. I ended up having a bunch of friends I knew, but not all that well. Find a good group of friends and stick with them (provided they stick with you as well).

Another thing I've learned: One really good friend is worth 100 mediocre ones. I used to try to be friends with everybody, and spread my time out between them all. This doesn't work. I ended up having a bunch of friends I knew, but not all that well. Find a good group of friends and stick with them (provided they stick with you as well).

Man speaks truth.

[color=#1C2837][size=2]They could have their own interests in non-work/school programming but not care what others do with their own time. They're not socializing with you, that's fine. Just don't recommend them. No need to be frustrated.[color=#1C2837][size=2][/quote]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]Kind of on topic. If they are in a pretty challenging class, just because they are only doing what is needed for that class doesn't mean they aren't driven. It's hard to go to class and hear about programming for 6 hours then come home and work on a school project for 4 hours and still want to hear about more programming. Not to say there aren't people that just aren't interested in programming despite being in the degree; I had a bunch of them in mine. Just don't jump to conclusions because a guy would rather relax on facebook than probe you about the inner workings of your game engine.

[color=#2B3730]Hardcharger, I completely understand and accept what you are saying.
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[color=#2B3730]My response is specific to the people who 1) only do the bare minimum asked of them and 2) whine about not being successful in whatever it is they're trying to succeed in (be it exams or finding work), when going above and beyond what they are asked to do would most likely solve this. I don't expect coworkers to take an interest in what I do outside of work and I don't expect that everybody needs to be interested in programming as a hobby to succeed - you don't, but if you don't take your own time to improve your skills or portfolio, don't whine to me when what you do have is not enough.
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[color=#2B3730]That is all I meant - I wasn't exactly on topic though, because I wasn't really replying to the OP at all. Your post makes more sense for that!

This is exactly how all of my friends are... I've given up on humans altogether... I've decided to be a hermit now...

You should try make some more friends, find a girl (or guy, however you swing) and try to do things that you enjoy on your own. It's never good to rely on people too much.

To answer your main question in the short version, no, my friends don't suck.

To answer your main question in the long version, yes, my friends suck.
I grew up in a small town with a small class. I have a lot of really good friends that I've known since I started kindergarten. I have 4 friends that I would call 'best friends', one I met when I was 5, one in 7th grade, and the other two when I started college. At some point in my relationship with all of them I've felt like you do now, where it seems like you take a back seat to all of their other friends/interests, or they just plain piss you off. Hell I even quit talking to one of them for almost a year because we got in a stupid fight. But at the end of the day I consider them brothers more so than friends.

In your current situation, I would say to give it time. Either you'll find out those people aren't your true friends and you'll meet better ones, or you'll start getting invited back to their social events.