There always the fear that if someone speaks out about a BS/zombie project, one could get negatively impatced by things like hit by lay off, since "we don't need you any more"; or, refocused to do even less fun, more beauracratic work; or, the blame somehow gets shifted that "its YOUR fault that this project has gone no where!", etc.<p>My rule of thumb nowadays is if i get assigned to a zombie project, i try and whine and complian alot to the point of being annoying...but if that fails, i try one or more of the following things:<p>- semi-force my way onto a more fun or useful project...and sort of show zombie project l;eader that "hey, sorry, i'm split onto another project..."<p>- create my own fun project - but needs to really apply to employer's business, and actually add value.<p>- work on a side hustle (assuming it does not legally conflict somehow with the day job that assiugned me to the zombie project)<p>- search job boards, linkedin, etc. for the next gig
Author here. I asked some devs this question:<p><pre><code> Although you are required to do your job, you secretly believe it is pointless and should not need to be performed.
</code></pre>
Turns out a lot of people answered yes, which is sort astounding.
Thing is, everyone's value system is different. What is busy work for one person can be satisfying for someone else. So the bottom line is to do work which you derive value from. If you are working on a team of 100 people working on a feature which you believe is pointless, but it is still technically challenging and you are learning and you are having fun, then that's fine. It is paying the bills and you are getting something you value out of it.<p>e.g, there are people who think Metaverse is pointless. Does that mean all the engineers working on it are wasting time? Of course not, they are all getting something of value out of it - may be money, chance to innovate, chance to work with amazing people.
Couldn’t you see life itself as one huge bullshit project that we’re here doing without a concrete idea of where it’s going, what it’s for or whether anyone has a use for it? It’s work: for us to do, created by higher ups.<p>It’s turtles all the way down.