I understand the frustration. But if I were looking for a job, I simply would not publicly announce to the world that I am this much of a dick.
I like it very much. I would probably hire this person.
Yea, this guy sounds pleasant. Would love to work with him.
But seriously, I don't understand how people can appreciate this level of toxicity.
It’s a very different style of work where politeness, ego, and professionalism weren’t factors. The only focus was the tech and ensuring it was moving as efficiently as possible. You could really push things in whatever direction you needed as long as you had the metrics to show it was better.
I disagree that it’s inherently rude or aggressive. You can absolutely tell someone they’re a moron in a very polite and joking way, but it clearly won’t translate into writing very well.
As for crass, yeah definitely ¯\ _(ツ)_/¯
You guys realize this person wrote a blog post about not being able to find a job, right?
"This toxic personality is so refreshing? But why can't he find a job?"
What a mystery.
Understand what? This guy is contributing to horrible environments, not just a victim.
Why are do so many tech people have such low agency?
Sounds like a low-EQ environment. I'm perfect, every issue is someone else's.
Edit: Gender neutral language
The really ‘fun’ folks are when you never see any confusion, because they ‘know’ they couldn’t fail - they ‘know’ you’re conspiring to destroy them using whatever tricks they tend to use, and have no doubts about it. Regardless of how absurd or illogical that would be.
And then the sabotage, manipulation, gaslighting, triangulation, false accusations, outright attacks, etc. start. With no remorse, because in their eyes they’re the victim and are just being ‘fair’.
That’s when document, document, document, and better hope you’ve got real power and a way to back it up, or you’re going to have a hard time. Probably even then. Because yes, they’re exhausting.
But there's more than a hint of narcissism in the writing. Which is incredibly toxic to work with, because every interaction becomes less about solving problems and more about aggressive assertions of dominance and superiority.
On the upside, if he's as smart as he wants to be, he'll be able to solve his problem.
I'm not saying the author is like that, but he might be.
They would like to work in a better context with such people.
They are discouraged by the quagmire of the low quality cold interview swamp.
I don’t see narcissistic flags here, and I have had significant experiences with that category of person. Unfortunately.
The irreverent gallows humor seems to be throwing some people off. But that is often a creative person’s tactic for maintaining a light mood in casual (not professional) contexts, despite rough circumstances.
(Narcissism isn’t being off putting, difficult, unpleasant, objectionable, etc. It is as important to not overapply that concept as it is to recognize it. It is usually not immediately obvious, as they are often image conscious and exude charm. Unless they have a secure power imbalance, or you are socially irrelevant to what they care about.)
It’s offputting that someone can’t control well what they say in public. It’s okay to talk shit in private, it’s natural —but making it public in such a voice is offputting.
There are many hilarious stories from the tech support trenches that are well written, captivating, without descending into the badmouthing trap.
One that I recall is a kid who worked like a house call Genius Bar in the Chicago loop neighborhood or thereabouts, it was funny, witty storytelling about the mias entires he suffered, but never shat on people.
I'm fairly confident that OP is safe here.