A little bit unrelated to the topic, but the writer comes across really cheerful and to me it feels disingenuous. Is that just me? I don't think there's anything in the world I could be that cheerful about, maybe a cure for cancer or eradication of malaria, but I'm not sure I'd even smile, I would just feel huge relief. Not that there's anything wrong with smiling, I wish I'd smile more.
> It is hard to imagine another place to work that would be more fun, more rewarding, or that would allow me to have a greater impact on the world.
I could see working at Amazon being fun, and you could have a big impact for better or for worse. I think maybe this a problem I have, but I get really suspicious when it feels like someone has drunk the Kool-aid, when someone comes across as an uncritical cheerleader for some large corporation, product or organization. There always has to be a touch of cynicism or self-reflection, but this guy is like it's best day ever every day at Amazon. One does have to reach much to come up with reasonable criticisms of Amazon.
I am a positive and cheerful person! In fact, when my brain snapped in to gear at around 4 AM, I started to outline the post in my head and went downstairs to write it before 4:30. I think that it is important to realize that there are real people inside of companies, and that we have thoughts and minds of our own.
We are a frugal company and there is definitely no free Kool-Aid. I gave up sugar on April 1 and wouldn't drink it anyway (but that's another blog post).
There are plenty of things that I could point to and say "I don't like this," or "that could be better" but that wasn't really my objective. There are a lot of different ways to organize and run a company.
I have worked at a ton of difference places in my life. Some big, some small. I have been my own boss for for a while. I have had awful colleagues and awesome ones. When all is said and done, it is a real privilege to be able to work with bright, energetic people.
> It is hard to imagine another place to work that would be more fun, more rewarding, or that would allow me to have a greater impact on the world.
I could see working at Amazon being fun, and you could have a big impact for better or for worse. I think maybe this a problem I have, but I get really suspicious when it feels like someone has drunk the Kool-aid, when someone comes across as an uncritical cheerleader for some large corporation, product or organization. There always has to be a touch of cynicism or self-reflection, but this guy is like it's best day ever every day at Amazon. One does have to reach much to come up with reasonable criticisms of Amazon.