Do you find coding less mentally taxing than other tasks?

[bernard]

This is quite strange.
I have some chronic fatigue issues following head injury.
This makes me unable to write for more than 2 hours or so in a row. It really burns my brain to the point I can barely think afterwards. When I'm done, I'm done, I literally can't string together one sentence more.
For some reason, coding is different. I can code for hours despite being fatigued.
Really strange, I can only conclude it has to do with different parts of the brain, one part apparently has more damage than the other.

 

[CCarter]

Writing requires creativity - one side of the brain, coding requires logic - the other side of the brain. If I code all day I can't be creative at any level, even random jokes people tell me go over my head cause I'm in "code mode".

But when I start my day with writing or something creative I can interact socially with people better and joke with them left and right - HOWEVER I cannot code that day PERIOD.

My brain can't switch back and forth without significant sleep in between.

So when I wake up whatever the first task is for that day - that's going to dictate the type of day I'll have.

It sounds like the part of your brain that requires creativity is messed up more than the other side.

 

[SmokeTree]

My world basically revolves around code, Linux and music. When I write code, I find it to be a very creative process that happens to solve logic problems. To me, code isn't just a bunch of algorithms and data structures, it's every bit as much of a creative process as making music. When a mechanic is fixing a car, he/she is probably not worrying about the way they are turning the wrench, it just happens.

With music, I have a decent understanding of music theory. I know what key I'm playing in and what scales can be used for the sounds I'm trying to achieve but just like with code, when I'm playing I don't think about all the technical things so much. I just go for the sound I'm after and then worry about analyzing it afterwards. Rather than rack one side of my brain more than the other, I try to find balance down the middle and not worry about the process so much as the result.

 

[Future State]

Writing is more mentally taxing for me not because of a lack of creativity, but because it's obscenely boring. I'm more left-brain oriented. I get excited to code and solve problems and apply logic. I don't look forward to writing at all. Maybe that's part of your problem, an innate preference for one over the other.