The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Retired, not tired. (Interview)

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Jun 12, 2024

Kelsey Hightower, a prominent voice in the tech community and former Google engineer, shares insights one year after his retirement. He discusses the shift from traditional work to pursuing self-directed projects, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and sharing knowledge. Kelsey reflects on the balance between life and technology, storytelling's impact on communication, and the evolving dynamics of economic awareness. His thoughts on mentorship and parenting reveal a transformative journey, all while emphasizing that retirement doesn’t mean slowing down.

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ADVICE

Self-Direction

Explore self-directed work and personal projects.
Detach from the traditional 9-to-5 and explore your interests.

ANECDOTE

Bidet Installation

Kelsey Hightower discusses his retirement activities, including installing a bidet.
This demonstrates his pursuit of new skills and experiences outside of traditional work.

INSIGHT

Bidet Superiority

Bidets offer a superior cleaning experience compared to traditional methods.
Many cultures already embrace bidets, highlighting a shift in perspective on hygiene.

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Kelsey Hightower is back to share more of his wisdom. This time it’s one year after his retirement from Google. But guess what? He might be “retired,” but he’s not tired. In this episode Kelsey shares what drives him, what he fears, and how he thinks through his life choices and parenting. This is a good one.

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Featuring:

Kelsey Hightower – GitHub, X
Adam Stacoviak – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X
Jerod Santo – GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X

Show Notes:

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!