A New Chapter: An Interview with Derek Blackburn
This song title sums up my time management perfectly as of late.
Welcome back to Discuss Discuss, where the musings on 3D printing and urban beekeeping often serve as a Trojan horse for larger critiques of our collective human experience. While my dedication to satirizing the "hustle culture" remains unwavering, recent months have brought about a monumental shift in my personal narrative, one that demands a more direct and introspective dialogue.
I've always believed in using this platform to explore the authentic contours of life, and today, that exploration takes a more personal turn. To facilitate this, I'm engaging in a conversation with an insightful, if perhaps imaginary, interlocutor I'm calling "The Philosophical Interrogator." This isn't just about collecting hobbies anymore; it's about deliberately crafting a life, understanding the impact of significant diagnoses like bipolar on that path, and embracing passion over traditional pressures.
The Philosophical Interrogator: Derek, you've spent nearly two decades immersed in the corporate IT world. What ultimately prompted you to step away and embark on this new chapter?
Derek Blackburn: Regarding the transition and my 'why,' I've noticed I've been experiencing burnout. Even after taking a two-week vacation, the work would simply pile up, and I'd return to find myself completely swamped. The biggest 'why' in my life for leaving my previous position and stepping out of the corporate world is a profound value for my time. Time is the only thing we truly possess in life; we exchange it for money, we give it to others, and so on. I simply didn't feel I had a great handle on my own time.
The Philosophical Interrogator: Your Bipolar diagnosis is something you've mentioned as flavoring your interactions. How has this shaped your experiences within the corporate world, particularly concerning the factors you mentioned like sleep or exercise?
Derek Blackburn: My bipolar diagnosis has profoundly shaped how I perceive the corporate IT world. I've observed many who may not share the same sensitivities to factors like sleep deprivation, skipping meals, or neglecting exercise. These seemingly small sacrifices hit me particularly hard. For me, maintaining balance in life is critical for productivity. I think it's something most people don't fully consider: 'Yeah, a couple extra hours here or there isn't a big deal,' or 'Missing lunch, no big deal.' But when these become repetitive, they impose a significant strain, especially on someone managing a mental health burden.
The Philosophical Interrogator: You've touched on the impact of time and family. With your daughter heading to college and your practice of Momento Mori, how did these influence your decision to reprioritize?
Derek Blackburn: Regarding time with family and Momento Mori: my daughter is going off to college, and it truly feels like just yesterday she was my 'little dude,' following me around at four years old. Time has begun to accelerate exponentially. This ties directly into the concept of Momento Mori—the realization that we are all finite. We need to remember death, understanding that our time is limited and its end is unknown. I simply don't want to spend my precious, finite time enriching someone else's pocket.
The Philosophical Interrogator: So, as a direct result of this, you've created an LLC. Can you tell us more about the appeal of project-based automation work versus full-time employment?
Derek Blackburn: As a direct result of this shift, I've created an LLC. My focus is exclusively on project-based work—no full-time, part-time, or general contracting. I want to dive into interesting problems and apply my consultative approach to help clients achieve their goals with reasonable, low-cost, and low-complexity solutions, always accompanied by excellent documentation. That, truly, is all I want to do.
The Philosophical Interrogator: Beyond the automation work, what other passion projects—like game development, media projects, and electronics with Raspberry Pi—are you excited to pursue, and how do these connect to your overall well-being?
Derek Blackburn: Absolutely, I have several passion projects in the pipeline for the summer. This includes light Raspberry Pi automation with various hardware components. I'm also developing a couple of small games - one 2D and one 3D. Beyond that, I'm actively exploring different applications for the technologies I've mastered over the past 18+ years, particularly focusing on the intersection of human need and technological capability. For instance, I'm keen to develop a robust framework for flashcards and spaced repetition - while existing tools are available, I have ideas for building a superior system. I'm also conceptualizing tools to easily translate between various data formats, addressing common scripting needs like converting JSON values into PowerShell objects, streamlining processes for developers and IT professionals. These projects are more than just technical pursuits; they tap into a fundamental aspect of being human: our joy in learning and creating. Finding a passion that fosters growth and happiness genuinely improves mental health. It provides a crucial sense that what we are doing matters, at least to us, and if it matters to others, that's an even greater bonus.
The Philosophical Interrogator: Finally, what advice would you offer to others who might be feeling similarly constrained by corporate life or are looking to make significant life changes while managing mental health challenges?
Derek Blackburn: My advice for others: if you're experiencing burnout, bring it up. If nothing changes, then get out. But if your concerns are addressed and things improve, be appreciative—that's not always the outcome. Most corporations are heavily focused on numbers, and if the metrics aren't telling a specific story, it can be incredibly difficult to get the support needed. Even when the data does show a problem, resources might be too constrained to hire more staff or redistribute work. It's often a lose-lose situation. If you find yourself in that position, it's probably time to start looking for a new path.