There are few words in the English language that sound as majestic as quixotic and yet are, at their core, a polite way of saying, “you’re probably wasting your time.”
Derived from Don Quixote - that noble, deluded knight who mistook windmills for giants - quixotic is the word we use when someone’s passion outpaces their practicality. It’s what people call you when you’re dreaming big, fighting the good fight, and forgetting to check your calendar.
At The Tech Ledger, we have a soft spot for quixotic endeavours. After all, trying to rebrand technical debt as something noble and sustainable - rather than a grubby line in a spreadsheet - might sound like tilting at windmills. But we like to think it’s more like maintaining the gears of the future before they seize up completely.
And here’s the rub: in a world obsessed with quarterly returns and click-through rates, sustainability itself can sound quixotic.
Those who talk about circular economies or digital sobriety are often accused of naivety - told that the market will never allow it, that change is too slow, that progress must always mean more.
But “more” has a cost, and pretending otherwise is the real fantasy.
The beauty of being quixotic lies in the contradiction - the romance of idealism, the ridicule of idealists. It’s the perfect word for anyone who’s ever believed they could change the system from within, or at least get a few people to care about software reuse, social value, and the price of a pint in Prague.
We like to think that being quixotic isn’t about tilting at windmills - it’s about seeing giants where others see noise.
It’s about believing there’s still dignity in doing the right thing, even when it looks a bit daft.
So yes - The Tech Ledger may be quixotic. We’re fine with that.
Because if no one’s tilting at windmills anymore, who’s left to remind the world they used to turn?
How to Tell If You’re Being Quixotic
A Field Guide for Modern Knights
1. You’ve used the word “sustainability” in a meeting and someone sighed audibly.
2. You’re convinced technology can be both profitable and kind.
3. You’ve said “legacy is an asset” and watched an entire boardroom twitch.
4. You think a cheese prize can spark meaningful dialogue.
5. You still believe small changes matter, even when the spreadsheet says they don’t.
If any (or all) apply - congratulations. You’re one of us.
Strap on your metaphorical lance and keep riding.