Ennui

Definition

Ennui is a feeling of boredom, dissatisfaction, and weariness stemming from a lack of excitement or meaningful activity. It’s a listless, apathetic state that can sap motivation and passion.

Timeline

Twenty, fifteen, even ten years ago there was tremendous enthusiasm amongst developers for fixing the world’s approach to software development. Conferences abounded. There was a palpable buzz in the air. New methodologies like Agile promised to revolutionise how software was built, moving away from rigid, documentation-heavy and micromanaged waterfall development. Open source software held the promise of democratising coding and enabling worldwide collaboration. There was electic excitement to leverage technology to improve lives and transform industries.

A Realisation

But nowadays, that enthusiasm has largely dissipated, replaced with ennui. The promises of improved productivity and quality have failed to materialise. Open source has become corporatised and lost its indie spirit. The realisation has set in that while software can improve things, technology alone can’t resolve systemic societal and commercial issues. And factors like offshoring, automation and “now, now, now!” cultures have decreased satisfaction levels across the industry.

Disillusion

This ennui manifests in high employee turnover, burnout from overwork, and developers questioning if they want to remain in the field. The passion that initially attracted many to software – the idea you could change the world through code – has been replaced with disillusionment. New approaches now feel gimmicky rather than groundbreaking. Technologies feel incremental rather than innovative. Opportunities feel constricted by business realities rather than inspirational. And quiet quiiting is everywhere.

Morale

The Covid pandemic has only heightened this ennui. Subsequent massive layoffs have left many talented developers unemployed or fearful for their jobs, hardly the climate to inspire passion. And trying to create and collaborate solely over video chats lacks the human connection and excitement that once flourished in dynamic office environments. People’s basic safety and stability needs have been imperilled, making it difficult to reach higher goals of self-actualisation and purpose.

Deeper Cultural Issues

It’s an open question whether the current ennui plaguing developers is just a phase or indicative of deeper cultural issues in tech needing to change (my money’s on the presence of deeper cultural issues). But rediscovering the excitement, freedom and purpose that once attracted people to software may be one way to counter the creeping cynicism and revitalise the industry. Tapping into that earlier enthusiasm is critical for retaining talent and enabling developers to create their best work. The alternative is the passionless status quo – something that benefits no one.