Quitting engineering to pursue art full-time

Language, Reach, and “Total Addressable Market”

• Several comments debate the artist’s shift from Spanish to English content.
• Some argue English maximizes reach because translation tooling and global familiarity are better; English content can be consumed by many non-native speakers.
• Others note this is more about optimizing ROI than absolute TAM and mention that dual-language posts add friction and clutter.

Hate, Engagement, and Algorithms

• There is disagreement about the idea that “getting hate is a good sign.”
• One side: strong negative reactions mean the work provokes emotion; indifference is worse. Online “hate” also boosts algorithmic reach and can drive renewed attention (e.g., after cancellations).
• Other side: constant hostility is draining, offers little constructive value, and many artists need positive feedback, not abuse, to stay motivated.
• Some see creators adapting to algorithms that reward outrage, even if they don’t fully admit it.

Art, Marketing, and Instagram

• Multiple commenters emphasize that success in art often hinges on marketing more than quality.
• Some view the described path as “doing Instagram full time,” seeing the article itself as marketing.
• Others defend this as legitimate: Instagram is just a channel; the underlying art and production work are substantial, and customers who buy voluntarily shouldn’t be dismissed as “fools.”

AI, Risk, and Career Choice

• Participants note that both art and engineering are being affected by AI; art was already a tough career long before.
• Some stress that AI currently only touches a narrow slice of “art” and doesn’t replace physical making, though it can be a tool for enhancement.
• Others mention moving into roles they believe are AI-resistant (e.g., retreats, hands-on work), with pushback that broader economic decline would still hit them.

Switching from Engineering to Other Work

• Many share experiences or fantasies of leaving software for art, woodworking, farming, construction, music, or other trades.
• Themes include burnout with screens, desire for tangible output, better mental health, but also recognition that physical work can be underpaid, risky, and exhausting.
• Some advocate using high engineering salaries to fund later transitions (e.g., debt-free homestead).

Money, “Real” Art, and Romanticization

• One thread critiques the notion that “real artists” shouldn’t focus on selling.
• Others counter with examples where getting paid led to more and better work, arguing that the “starving artist” ideal is over-romanticized and unhelpful.