On: FAQ on Leaving Google

[sethops1]

Two talks given by Ben Collins-Sussman absolutely changed my career path from being a hot headed programmer to thinking like a professional engineer.

The Myth of the Genius Programmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SARbwvhupQ

The Art of Organizational Manipulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTCuYzAw31Y

I rewatch these every few years, or before an interview. Puts me back in the right headspace.

If you're reading this Ben, thank you.

[laboratorymice → sethops1]

Just watched the second video and I am confused.

It starts with some general points one could summarize as defining a "good culture" and how that should pay off for both employer and employees, but then later tramples all over it by excusing or outright endorsing the exact type of political behaviour that was criticized at the beginning: upward perception, the favour economy, finding influential friends, connectors, not burning bridges, and facetime.

edit: The mentioned plan B (leaving) is really the only option for what they call a "hostile corporation". I don't agree with many of the plan A "learning to play the game" recommendations. This just changes you for the worse.

[gowld → laboratorymice]

It's a version of Might Makes Right or the Economics of the Markets.

You can't change the nature of reality, but you can choose to play the game in the service of good moral outcomes, or in servive of selfish greed.

[alephnan → gowld]

Ah. The ego of Effective Altruism and Sam-Bankman Fried.