But that's the reality of what they were doing, the fact that it makes people uncomfortable is indicative of how wrong the culture is. I'm glad they said it.

The fact that people think it is inspiring to learn about others willingly working for such long hours, to undergo stress that is so bad it makes them cry is truly abhorrent. But that's reality, isn't it? That's what these companies are starting to expect from their people.

I was fired from my last job because my boss said I didn't have "the hunger"; I said I valued my personal time a lot and wasn't really all that interested in spending my free hours learning how to make myself a better programmer. I said: "I think just by working here everyday I am learning a lot, I don't think it is necessary for me to be putting extra work" and I guess that shows my lack of "hunger". Of course, every workplace is entitled to require a certain level of expertise from their employees, but I don't think it is healthy to promote a work culture that is based on people working (paid or unpaid) at all times.

I think maybe because tech has always been surrounded by a very geeky culture, and that a lot of people in tech start to get into it as a hobby (it is after all very creative work) that we have ended up in a situation were the lines get blurred. And, I mean, they have money and there are many people out there willing to put up with these situation. My best friend easily works 10-12 hours a day out of his own accord, but his personal life is suffering a lot.