Recently, they were discussing how to best secure their offices because a deranged woman came to the office and tried to kill all of them. [1]

And yes, they're also human and discuss whether single-use water bottles are bad enough that they're worth replacing, how best to keep fit so that they don't cost their employer-funded health care program too much in the long run, and yes, like many nerds, they discuss the type of laptop they like best.

But hey, if it makes you feel better to judge people, go for it.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube_headquarters_shooting

Oh, don't joke about the type of laptop

Our boss knows that having TrackPoint is a "conditions of employment" issue. Yes, it's a privilege... at the same time, it's what we spend 50+hrs of week on, so it needs to not cause ergonomic and usability issues every second of every minute of the day ️

I get people get all riled up about this. Even more when they are young and have no real perspective.

But it gives tech workers in general a really bad vibe. Pompous, spoiled brats.

Of course, most of these people are nice human beings, but somehow they get lost in minutiae and 0th world problems the moment they join some hot startup.

Yes, we can have discussions about 1st world problems of work conditions that don't involve hazardous machinery or manual labor, or have poor wages.

But that whole "don't complain, people have it worse" vibe extends to almost anyone living in the United States vs other countries where money means nothing, rule of law doesn't exist, or the mother country is about to slaughter thousands of people for wanting democracy.

The point is: Maintain perspective, but still continue bitching about the uncomfortable chairs.

> the type of company laptop.

Fun fact: when Google employees had Windows laptops, the government of China hacked them, trying to steal identifying information about dissidents.

Do you have state-funded hackers attacking your laptop so they can kill people?

Why is it "entitled" to make demands of your employer if you are in a position to make demands? Do you also "chuckle" at people who try and negotiate pay raises or more vacation days?

No, but some of the things people get worked up over in the tech industry can get silly, especially the ones with less experience who see themselves as temporarily embarrassed 10Xers. It’s usually in proportion to how overly seriously they take themselves, and it’s often from manufactured conceit to cover up insecurity about other things in their lives. It’s not most people but it’s definitely a type you encounter in places like SV.