korrents
David Heinemeier Hansson

What David Heinemeier Hansson thinks about happiness

@dhh · 707 positions · 10 changes of mind

Creator of Ruby on Rails, CTO of 37signals, and creator of Omarchy.

Everything they publish, on ppll ↗ Who they are, on wiqqi ↗

David Heinemeier Hansson did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

6 dated positions, 2021 to 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what David Heinemeier Hansson has said — not written or endorsed by them.

The line under a date shows how recently it was said: empty within a month, full after three years.

  1. Our readingMojito Island is a mirage: there is no retirement for ambitious people, and leisure without purpose is misery, not happiness.

    Their wordsI think that's the other big misconception that some people have about wealth is that they conceive of it as some sort of checkpoint. Like once you've made it, then you can just kick back in leisure as though that was happiness.

    ↗DHH’s new way of writing codeyoutube.com 21st of 21 in this recording

  2. 9 months earlier

  3. Our readingMojito Island is a mirage: there is no retirement for ambitious people, and leisure without purpose is misery, not happiness.

    Their wordsMojito Island is a mirage. It always was. There is no retirement for ambitious people. There is no just sitting back on the beach and sipping a mojito for what? For two weeks before you go damn crazy and wanna get back into the action?

    ↗DHH: Future of Programming, AI, Ruby on Rails, Productivity & Parenting | Lex Fridman Podcast #474youtube.com 24th of 36 in this recording

  4. 19 months earlier

  5. Our readingRegular time in nature increases lifespan and happiness

    Their wordsYour life will literally be longer, healthier, and happier, if you let nature wash over you regularly

    ↗The early bird sees the sunriseworld.hey.com

  6. 6 months earlier

  7. Our readingPeople are unhappy in their careers when the thing they want and the work it takes to get it are out of sync, not because they climbed the wrong ladder

    Their wordsThe world is full of talented, capable people who'd rather put their own efforts to direct use than manage others

    ↗When promotions become punishmentworld.hey.com 1st of 2 in this piece

  8. 4 months earlier

  9. Our readingPrioritizing meaningful work is key to a good life

    Their wordsYour first mission in life ought to be to ensure that all those free, best things are solidly in place before caring to chase the rest of the list.

    ↗How it started / how it's goingworld.hey.com 2nd of 2 in this piece

  10. 22 months earlier

  11. Our readingEmployees are happier when their bosses are technically competent

    Their wordsemployees who work for bosses whom they consider to be technically competent, i.e. know something about the business they're in, are much happier

    ↗Stop talking about productworld.hey.com

How recent

The line under a date fills as the words age, a quarter at a time: past a month, six months, a year, and three years. Empty means said within the last month; full, more than three years ago. It says when, not whether it still holds — a change of mind is marked on the claim itself.

Dashed means we only know the words existed by that date; they may be older.