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FAQ on Leaving Google

(social.clawhammer.net)
462 points mrled | 4 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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charles_f ◴[] No.39034842[source]
> it makes no sense to either love or be angry at “Google”

Someone decided to handle this situation that way, so one has a perfect right to be angry at them, and generalize that as "being angry at Google".

The author takes it with philosophy and pragmatism, that's admirable and I'm certainly not one to tell them how they should feel. But other factors indicate that his situation was also prone for that positiveness (feeling like a relief because of golden handcuffs, long tenure in a stock-distributing tech company + director level meaning that there's likely no concerns regarding money, side career already underway, maybe a relief to have some change).

Others might not be in the same situation, and are now jobless in in slow economy, with tenuous savings, rent or mortgage coming up. They might feel outright furious for a layoff that they have neither control on, nor were a reason for, and that shows no face to take responsibility - and they're completely entitled to feel that way, if that helps them cope. I'd say it makes sense to me, and don't feel bad for being angry if that's how you feel.

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AndrewGaspar ◴[] No.39035194[source]
> they're completely entitled to feel that way, if that helps them cope

This is actually not a productive way to cope and it’s good advice to tell people not to cope this way.

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kibwen ◴[] No.39035358[source]
Anger at the Kafkaesque ministrations of the neo-feudal lords is a valid emotion. Let's not normalize the passive, defeatist acceptance of abusive corporate culture. One doesn't need to be angry, but that's a privilege of someone who isn't living paycheck to paycheck.
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roenxi ◴[] No.39035891[source]
> Anger at the Kafkaesque ministrations of the neo-feudal lords is a valid emotion.

I mean, yes. And it'll make Mr Angry feel worse, make the people around him feel worse, and make the world worse. So the recommendation is don't do that. If someone is going to do something productive after being sacked, learning to do it out of a place of love is a skill well worth picking up. Makes the world better and all that.

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1. matthewmacleod ◴[] No.39036223[source]
I think this is a bit of a shallow read on what anger is – one can rightfully feel angry at an injustice and use that motivation to effect positive change.

I also prefer—on a personal level—to set anger aside. But anger is probably one of the strongest forces driving individuals to "make the world better".

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2. roenxi ◴[] No.39037671[source]
> But anger is probably one of the strongest forces driving individuals to "make the world better".

Are you thinking of an instance? Anger typically locks in the status-quo by causing people to fight each other. Greed on the other hand has pushed us from farming monkeys into modern society with a material existence that was hitherto unthinkably comfortable. Harnessing greed created and powers the modern engine of wealth creation. And greed works best when people are thoughtful, patient, kind and calm.

Typically anger just makes people do things that are hasty and stupid. I'm not thinking of situations where I've seen it get much done. It isn't an emotion that can power long term, strategic plans - or at least not good ones. Tends to burn out or be destructive.

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3. ufocia ◴[] No.39066548[source]
Greed makes people do things that are hasty and stupid. Love makes people do things that are hasty and stupid. ... All emotions are by definition impulsive and irrational and thus hasty and stupid. You are cherry picking.
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4. roenxi ◴[] No.39128268{3}[source]
> All emotions are by definition impulsive and irrational and thus hasty and stupid

That isn't true. Emotions are usually rational, and may or may not be swift. Consider greed - it can be harnessed to power long-term plans, as can be seen when looking at the economy. And that is hardly cherry picking, we're surrounded by examples and it is foundational to the theory of why it all works. Consider someone saving up money to buy a fancy car. That might be a decision powered by love; is probably powered by greed and it seems a stretch to say people would do that because they were really angry with the world.

Anger doesn't have the same staying power as positive emotions, or more neutral emotions like greed.

> You are cherry picking.

You may note I'm explicitly asking Mr. matthewmacleod to cherry pick.