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Comment by scott_s | Hacker News Reader

I read it not as "I'm an amazing programmer because I work for Engine Yard," but "I work for a company that clearly depends on your work - I respect what you've done."

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On behalf of everyone who tries to communicate over the internet, I'd like to thank you for assuming the nicer interpretation. It's easy to misinterpret someone's tone, and written communication goes so much more smoothly when people avoid making angry assumptions.

I'm not sure "Hey, I write stuff using your software, you should tolerate my mistreatment of you better!" is a nicer interpretation.

No, but the "Hey I write stuff using your software, I never meant to mistreat you." is.

It's not just about choosing to read the more charitable interpretation. The second reading requires more context than the first one. If you aren't aware of the additional facts you mention, it's very difficult to read the comment in a positive way.

I agree. Clear writing, which can be read on its own without an outside context, also requires more effort.

The entire response seems arrogant; that statement just captured it, and I don't think it's pulled out of the context of the tone of the response to Zed.

After hearing your interpretation, I realize that probably does make more sense within the context of the paragraph.

But I certainly heard it the other way first. That's probably another good example of meaning being lost in text compared to spoken word.

Thank you for this. It's been my intention this whole time to point out that I really enjoy all of Zed's work. And felt a attacked when I thought I was doing something good. I felt a translation was helpful, but I took it down immediately when I received a complaint. I like what Zed has done and use it daily. Working at Engine Yard is not something I see as being better than any other job, only that we're a prominent user of Mongrel, possibly the largest in the world.

If you had shown the same humility and caution before calling him names AND posting inflammatory posts on HN, nobody would have known about this.

If you notice, he chose not to publicize this on twitter & HN unlike you.

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