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Comment by cyclopeanutopia | Hacker News Reader

"Top talent" - I'm curious, do you really believe this is a normal / proper / desirable way of talking about other people?

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Sounds a bit like casting lingo in performing arts, but other than that, not sure what you're hinting at.

Yes, “the talent” is waiting out in their trailer and needs you to talk to them

It is logical that there are people who are great at what they do and others who are not. We’ve all worked with both and if you are in the business of finding talented people, how else would you talk about it?

"Talented people", not "talent".

That’s a weird thing to be upset and reprimand us about.

I suppose one can insist that people say “most talented people” but it seems so much more streamlined and to say “top talent”. I have never come across anyone who is bothered by this.

FWIW I am way more bothered by the use of the word “resources” to refer to people. I think it is disgusting and offensive.

Well, then you just did. :)

Nuance is “resources” has the connotation of exploitation whereas “talent” is positive. The former is used to also refer to non-human things like iron ore, but I am not aware that “talent” is ever used to refer to anything other than people.

Also, I’m not trying to change people to stop using the word “resources”, even if I am not a fan.

> Also, I’m not trying to change people to stop using the word “resources”, even if I am not a fan.

I'm not sure why you mention that part. Maybe the text doesn't fully carry your message, so I need to ask: are you proud that you are not trying to change people?

Yes. Highly accountable and responsible people with deep knowledge are rare.

I'm not OP but I think it is both normal, proper, and desirable.

... What are you getting at, I'm genuinely curious? What's wrong with the phrase "top talent"!?

I don't know, sounds very off putting, just like "resources" in "human resources". I get that this is normalized in all the corporations, but one still can choose to use terms that don't reduce people to "value produced".

This is unusually reactive response to normal language.

"Talented" is normal "Talent" is abusive

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