You worked in great conditions but on a bad project, and you hated it.

You worked in poor conditions, but on a great project, and you loved it.

I think you jump to conclusions saying that therefore the work is more important than the conditions. Joel isn't saying that conditions alone suffice, but that it's an input of worth.

Please, for the sake of HN, work at a place with great conditions and a great project and report back on whether it was better than great.