Re:The Rise of Performative Work
by ChrisMarshallNY on Sunday January 09, 2022 @10:00AM
(#29863758)
I am sorry about that. I hope that you were able to develop a reasonably lucrative early stake in the company.
In my case, it has never been about the money. It has always been about the joy of development, and, in some cases, a desire to be a part of an elite team.
When I started looking, I would have been absolutely ideal for early-stage startups. I was willing to work for a ludicrously low wage and take risks (I had my retirement set, so I just needed to keep the lights on, and medical insurance), had (still have) an enormous breadth of experience, along with some really lucrative specialized skills. I had years of experience, selling complex projects to very skeptical managers (Japanese, so a tough room. Make American VCs look like friendly puppies). I have actually shipped completed, supported software, since my very first project (I can prove it, I still have the manual[0]). I had a lot of extra time on my hands, was willing to put in long hours, and I also had this massive portfolio[1] of finished work, writings, code, and years of commit history, for anyone that wanted to see. It was plainly obvious what I had to bring to the table; good and bad. I am an open book. Really easy to find out, if you know how to click a mouse button.
Even early-stage startups were obsessed with "cultural fit" (which I didn't have), and don't get me started on the recruiters. They were the worst. The insults and power games were ridiculous (and highly unprofessional). I realized that, even if I got hired, they would treat me very badly.
This tech industry has changed a lot. I had been at my previous gig for 27 years straight. It was one of the biggest brands in the world, synonymous with Quality, and I was on a peer basis with some of the finest engineers and scientists in the world. I was often the dumbest person in the room, and I'm smarter than the average bear. In fact, that was a big reason for my staying so long. I think that it is important to be in an environment where I'm challenged (one of the reasons I hang out here).
Didn't mean a thing. In fact, it seemed to be something that actually elicited scorn.
In my case, it has never been about the money. It has always been about the joy of development, and, in some cases, a desire to be a part of an elite team.
When I started looking, I would have been absolutely ideal for early-stage startups. I was willing to work for a ludicrously low wage and take risks (I had my retirement set, so I just needed to keep the lights on, and medical insurance), had (still have) an enormous breadth of experience, along with some really lucrative specialized skills. I had years of experience, selling complex projects to very skeptical managers (Japanese, so a tough room. Make American VCs look like friendly puppies). I have actually shipped completed, supported software, since my very first project (I can prove it, I still have the manual[0]). I had a lot of extra time on my hands, was willing to put in long hours, and I also had this massive portfolio[1] of finished work, writings, code, and years of commit history, for anyone that wanted to see. It was plainly obvious what I had to bring to the table; good and bad. I am an open book. Really easy to find out, if you know how to click a mouse button.
Even early-stage startups were obsessed with "cultural fit" (which I didn't have), and don't get me started on the recruiters. They were the worst. The insults and power games were ridiculous (and highly unprofessional). I realized that, even if I got hired, they would treat me very badly.
This tech industry has changed a lot. I had been at my previous gig for 27 years straight. It was one of the biggest brands in the world, synonymous with Quality, and I was on a peer basis with some of the finest engineers and scientists in the world. I was often the dumbest person in the room, and I'm smarter than the average bear. In fact, that was a big reason for my staying so long. I think that it is important to be in an environment where I'm challenged (one of the reasons I hang out here).
Didn't mean a thing. In fact, it seemed to be something that actually elicited scorn.
[0] https://littlegreenviper.com/TF30194/TF30194-Manual-1987.pdf
[1] https://stackoverflow.com/story/chrismarshall