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Comment by SQL2219 | Hacker News Reader

"young people are just smarter"

Mark Zuckerberg

Please don't introduce recycled flamebait for the millionth time. It never leads to anything new. We're looking for thoughtful reactions, not mechanical reflexes.

Yeah but that was from when he was young and not as smart.

And what brilliant things were you saying in 2007? Yeah, that was an asinine thing for him to say, and insulting to . . . well, to people like me. I'm 53, and I happen to work at Facebook on the strength of things I've learned in the last 11 years or so. I dare say many of the people around me, including those who hired me, might have learned a thing or two as well. Maybe those who want to champion the idea of life-long growth and learning could make their point some way other than bringing up a quote from 2007 as though it represents current belief.

And what brilliant things were you saying in 2007?

If Zuck had said “whites are just smarter” or “men are just smarter” he would not have gotten away with it then and it would not be forgotten or forgiven now.

It’s a valid point because it illustrates ageism is considered acceptable even today.

He might not have gotten away with it then, but it wouldn't be harming him much today. It might well have earned him a cabinet post or "senior adviser to the president" role in the current administration.

it wouldn't be harming him much today

Oh it would. Eich is still feeling the fallout from what he did in 2008. Rightly or wrongly is up to you, but nevertheless we see that people have long memories.

More like, young people have a good smart to self worth ratio, making them easier to exploit.

Not necessarily self-worth - when you're just starting out and you have no track record, no matter how good you know you are, the rest of the world won't believe you until you've proved yourself. So you start wherever you can.

A fair point. So either a feeling of a lack of self worth resulting in reduced assertiveness, or just being rebuffed a bunch.

I've often wondered how Zuck is going to feel about that quote in the long run.

That implies he can recognize hubris. So far that’s not been a theme.

[flagged]

Please don't introduce recycled ragebait for the millionth time. It never leads to anything new.

I think you are replying to an ironic post to begin with. Doubt that quote was to prove a point, but to highlight the problem.

Sure - I still find it amusing tho - totally worth the downvotes...

It's not worth defacing the community with, though, so please don't.

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