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When Passion Becomes Commodity

Andrew Reese on October 08, 2025

There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that comes from watching something you love transform into something else entirely. For me—and for so many ...
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Sarah 🦄

This is wild because as someone recovering from burnout and also late diagnosed neurodivergent reading this it’s like your in my brain, this post encapsulates so much of what I’ve been thinking and feeling these last 4/5 years. Thanks for sharing.

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Andrew Reese

Sorry about the burnout, but congrats on learning more about yourself! I wasn't diagnosed with any kind of Neurodivergence until my late 20s myself, but I always "joked" about being ADHD most of my life, and came to found out I very much was and was living life to a neurotypical standard that was killing me from the inside out until i started therapy!

I'm sorry you've shared the same pains and burnout in your journey, but I'm glad you found some camaraderie in this post! Thanks for commenting!

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leob

Beautifully written - and a metaphor for the Big World out there, where the richest 1% own more (WAY more) than the poorest 50%, and conscience and morals get sacrificed at the altar of the Corporate Shareholder ... !

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Andrew Reese

Thank you! And exactly, it really is a systemic and even global problem. It just sucks when it affects down to our passions and hobbies especially 😫

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The_Keizzmann😁🎹🎹💻

Thank you for echoing the thoughts of many. The Corporations know that a specie of people like this exist, and are actively working to make us build them systems that will automate what we do, and then turn and remove us from what we are, builders, makers.

All we have is ourselves, our nature as builders. We'll fight for our identity regardless of the opposition.

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Daisuke A

Thanks! This post reminded me that what I had done for my first-ever DIY electric project was to install a Bluetooth module into a retro vintage radio, which was for my girlfriend. As a DIY beginner (45 years old, though), it was a pure joy when I just found out where to solder those audio and power outlets to the radio. I am not at a stage of burning out as described. I'm excited about my project. I hope every Maker feels this excitement!

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avinashsuresh1

I created an account just to comment here. I just wanted to tell you how deeply it touched me. Where has fun gone? All fun from the passion is extracted away for profit. Commodification of passion kills it. It's not just corporate thing. My parents often ask me what is the use (aka how it makes money). How do I tell them...what is more "useful" than joy?

What you describe is what the original hackers did. Today hacking has got a bad connotation, but originally hackers were makers, analyzing and building, redesigning...Unfortunately today all that is just left for YouTube. Because otherwise it isn't seen as productive.

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Alex Escalante

I am glad to see that I am not the only who thinks like this. That is why I have fought to remain as independent as possible, though, it's not easy.

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Andrew Reese

For sure, it's often structured to make it hard to be. But I'm happy to hear it resonates with you and proud of you for sticking to it best you can!

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John

This really resonated. I appreciate you putting into words what so many of us feel but struggle to express.

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Andrew Reese

I'm glad (and relieved) to hear that it is resonating with others. Thanks for the comment!

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Pam Selle

Attempting to comment because I liked this post :) it feels really resonant and somewhat evergreen for burnout feels.

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Jess Lee

❤️

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Ricardo

Thanks so much for this. I believe a lot of people will resonate with it, but will be afraid too - afraid to speak up with fear or point fingers.

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Andrew Reese

Thank you for saying so! Sometimes I feel alone in it all but I know as a collective we do that exactly.

It used to happen at my previous jobs where whole large groups of people would independently express their similar concerns--but only on 1:1 pair programming sessions or small groups--but then would be too afraid to say anything to the whole company body, especially due to the societial pressure of not wanting to stick out and get fired or ostracized. And I've unfortunately gotten on the bad side of previous bosses/CEOs with exactly that, speaking up for others who were afraid to and often paying the cost. It's frustrating it has to be that way!

But I'm glad you feel like it will resonate with others as it did yourself, I appreciate that!