How to Do Things Right: Lessons from Futurama
18 August 2023
Have you ever heard of the quote “When you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all”? It comes from a Futurama episode called “Godfellas” where Bender becomes a god to a civilization of tiny beings living on his body. The quote is actually said by a cosmic entity that Bender encounters in space, who claims to be the real God or at least something close to it.
The quote is often used as a motto for sysadmins, who have to deal with complex and invisible tasks that keep the systems running smoothly. It can also apply to other professions and situations where doing things right means avoiding problems, errors, and complaints. But what does it really mean to do things right? And how can we achieve it?
Here are some possible interpretations and lessons from the quote and the Futurama episode:
- Doing things right means being humble and not seeking recognition or praise. Sometimes, the best way to help others is to let them help themselves, without interfering or imposing your will. As the cosmic entity tells Bender, "If you do too much, people get dependent on you. And if you do nothing, they lose hope."
- Doing things right means being proactive and not reactive. Instead of waiting for things to go wrong and then fixing them, you should anticipate and prevent potential issues before they arise. This way, you can save time, money, and resources, and avoid unnecessary stress and frustration. As one sysadmin puts it, “patching of machines is a thankless job because the customer often sees it as an unnecessary inconvenience” but it is essential for security and performance.
- Doing things right means being clear and not ambiguous. Sometimes, people may misunderstand or misinterpret your actions or intentions, especially if they are not familiar with your work or context. You should communicate effectively and transparently, explaining what you are doing and why, and providing feedback and guidance when needed.
- Doing things right means being consistent and not erratic. You should follow best practices, standards, and protocols, and maintain a high level of quality and reliability in your work. You should also document your processes and outcomes, and keep track of your progress and performance. This way, you can ensure that your work is reproducible, verifiable, and accountable. As the cosmic entity says, "You were doing well until everyone died."
The quote “When you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all” may sound cynical or discouraging at first, but it can also inspire us to strive for excellence and efficiency in our work. By doing things right, we can make a positive difference in the world, even if we don’t get the credit or recognition we deserve.
What do you think of the quote? How do you apply it to your work or life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!