(ducking...)

-- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker

/\/\averick

I'm not interested in a flame war either (yea! something we agree on :-)). I'm aware that science can't actually prove anything, but that's usually not a good reason for rejecting the results of scientific studies. Yes take them with a pinch of salt, but I'm inclined to believe this one.

The group of people who consistently work long hours are also the group of people who are prone to ill health. There may well be other factors involved - feel free to take the chance if you want to :-)

Nuance

I don't disbelieve scientific studies, just that for me to actually believe a scientific study I have to see the write ups and decide for myself. A lot of scientific studies are done by magazines, people who don't really take pride in their art and they look for the provocative truth.

I do however, work a 50+ hr week, and I'm only 20 years old. I work as a programmer and system admin on my breaks from University! I do it because I generally enjoy the work ( except when some asshole ex Navy Admiral gets on my case because his computer can't do everything he wants ) and yea, I end up pretty tired most days ( in at 7:30 and out at 5:30 ) but it's a job, and I do take pride in it.
Heck, I'd love to work for more pay, and only work 40- hours a week, and I probably will be able to once I graduate. I'm in D.C. the market is wide open here.

Macphisto
Nobody expects the The Spanish Inquisition

And the messed-up backs from being banned to the couch by an irate girlfriend because you are never home? lol

Roy Alan

Ivory

I've had smokers tell me that thier grand parents smoked 100 a day and lived to be in their nineties. That's a really crap reason for ignoring medical advice and continuing to smoke.

So it doesn't appear to have done your parents any harm (I'm willing to accept that it didn't). Just as some people are more prone to heart disease, some are more prone to develop lung cancer etc. some people are prone to develop ill health through excessive working hours.

Are you one of those people? I don't know. Am I one of those people? again I don't know, but I'm not willing to gamble my long term health on it. I reserve my reckless stupidity for other things (I'm over weight which doctors tell me is really bad for me and I drink strong black coffee which is also bad - you pays your money and you makes your choices)

Update: I've read this again and It's almost reads like I'm calling you recklessly stupid. I'm not, please don't take it that way. I'm trying to say that almost everyone makes "stupid" short sighted decisions with their health. Everyone's choices will be different.

Nuance

Great! I commend your parents!!! *heartfelt applause*

But I think you gave your answer right there....

Your parents take care of themselves physically. That is why they can handle the stress of working so much.
*looking at my pale skin* I know I could take a few pointers from them.

Roy Alan