I have worked for Bay Area companies which follow the Silicon Valley gospel a couple of times, and I have a fundamental disagreement with the idea that finding solace in work is inherently good.<p>My experience with this culture is that it is more cult than religion. You are expected to live for the work, give your all for the work, and love the work above all things. If you value anything above work—for example, time with your children—then you are not worthy of the work. In fact, you have no worth at all. Your free time should be spent studying for the work. You should sleep at the office with your coworkers over the weekend in “voluntary” hackathons to make the work closer to completion.<p>Most importantly, if you suggest that the work should maybe not be the only thing in your life, you are not worthy of the work and you should feel shame. If you don’t, your code family will help you to feel it.<p>Obviously I had some bad experiences, but I know that I’m not alone. I wonder honestly if anyone interviewing Silicon Valley tech people would have a chance at an honest, healthy assessment of work/life balance.<p>Finding value in what you do is fine, it’s healthy, it’s important; I just don’t think the Silicon Valley culture is one anyone should be emulating. It’s ok to go to work because it’s a means to an end.