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I don't understand the extremist views of blog posts like this. Do you really need to think in such simplistic "truisms" and catch phrases? > Quitting your job

I don't understand the extremist views of blog posts like this. Do you really need to think in such simplistic "truisms" and catch phrases? > Quitting your job to pursue your passion is bullshit. Not at all true. I know plenty of working class people who have saved money at their day jobs, researched a small business opportunity, and chosen to pursue it. A decent portion of them are succeeding beyond their wildest expectations. All are glad to have had the experience and put their money where their mouth (dream) is. You only live once after all. Not starting a business you wanted to is not a stone you want to leave unturned, for a lot of people. But there's some key points here. They saved money. They planned. They came up with contingencies. > This messaging is only beneficial for privileged people and very dangerous for working class people. Right, throw away that ambition and continue to be my employee until the end of time. This is the kind of thing I would write as a modern day "Lord of the Manor". Once again, be intelligent. Have an idea of your worth. Use the internet to do research, learn about small businesses, and financial planning. Of course there's a big difference between a working class person and the kid who grew up in the valley with parents working at GoogleSoftBook who gets shuttled into Stanford and isn't in a rush to pay loans or move out after graduation, preferring instead to make mobile apps with his frat. That doesn't seem to be what's being discussed though. It's just some vague attack at those who go out on their own. I'm surprised this sort of post is getting upvoted on HN. Are we a forum of spectators envious at those who chose to try that which we did not? As a final thought, people complaining about other people's privilege would be doing themselves a much bigger favor if they got off their ass and worked to maximize their own potential. Don't try to bring me down, work on bringing yourself up. I'd be happy to help.

soham 10y ago
Amen. I'm one of those. I understand the intent of this article. It's however unfortunate that the author has not come across enough success stories. Here is mine, which is arguably very small, but came out of exactly the same situation of an employee branching out: * I saved, I was clear about not only what I like to do, but also what I'm good at. * I couldn't get to it in my 20s, but I did get to it in my 30s. * Yes, there was privilege, but not any more than so many of my friends and acquaintances have. I didn't come from money either. * Yes, there was luck, but not any more than what I'd have needed to survive as an employee. * Yes, there was agony of survival, still is, will continue to be, and only increase. But I expected that going in, and I carefully created a support system for it, which comes in handy in those tough times. * Yes, there were unexpected events, including existential threats, but not any more than what I'd have had while working as an employee. * It has only been a year and a half, and I'm in no position to sermonize, lecture and draw conclusions. But I know that I'm having a blast. I am answerable to nobody but reason, I have flexibility with my time like I never had, and I have immense satisfaction of being the first one to introduce a new useful thing to this planet and make an impact in lives of several of my customers. But most importantly, it has afforded me life lessons which I'd have never had otherwise and I can accelerate my kids into. Yes, I'm making more than I'd have made in my job, but who is even looking at that? [For the curious, I run this: http://InterviewKickstart.com http://InterviewKickstart.com]
- zxcvvcxz 10y ago
  Congratulations on your success thus far, I think you've started a great business that serves a real need. Hope it's people like you writing more blog posts in the future. Off-topic: a while back I toyed with the idea of making an interview coding practice smartphone app, so people could practice anywhere or on the go. You guys look into any mobile products? Feel free to run wild with the idea if you like it =)
  - soham 10y ago
    Thanks! :-) There already are a few mobile apps for this e.g. coderust, Job Bytes etc. In fact, there are many excellent resources out there viz. books and websites. Existence and availability of material is not a problem and will never be in this connected world. Problem is, that people don't get a chance to go thru that material properly. It needs a lot of dedication and a strong support system, which many people don't have. And hence, they squander a chance to work for best companies of their times, or even reach their true potential. That is what the course provides.
- soham 10y ago
  Folks, I have no idea why this post was downvoted. I have some karma to lose, but it'd be very helpful if the downvoters showed the courtesy to explain their action. I'd love to improve the post.
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]
VOYD 10y ago
+100

soham 10y ago

Amen. I'm one of those. I understand the intent of this article. It's however unfortunate that the author has not come across enough success stories. Here is mine, which is arguably very small, but came out of exactly the same situation of an employee branching out: * I saved, I was clear about not only what I like to do, but also what I'm good at. * I couldn't get to it in my 20s, but I did get to it in my 30s. * Yes, there was privilege, but not any more than so many of my friends and acquaintances have. I didn't come from money either. * Yes, there was luck, but not any more than what I'd have needed to survive as an employee. * Yes, there was agony of survival, still is, will continue to be, and only increase. But I expected that going in, and I carefully created a support system for it, which comes in handy in those tough times. * Yes, there were unexpected events, including existential threats, but not any more than what I'd have had while working as an employee. * It has only been a year and a half, and I'm in no position to sermonize, lecture and draw conclusions. But I know that I'm having a blast. I am answerable to nobody but reason, I have flexibility with my time like I never had, and I have immense satisfaction of being the first one to introduce a new useful thing to this planet and make an impact in lives of several of my customers. But most importantly, it has afforded me life lessons which I'd have never had otherwise and I can accelerate my kids into. Yes, I'm making more than I'd have made in my job, but who is even looking at that? [For the curious, I run this: http://InterviewKickstart.com http://InterviewKickstart.com]

zxcvvcxz 10y ago
Congratulations on your success thus far, I think you've started a great business that serves a real need. Hope it's people like you writing more blog posts in the future. Off-topic: a while back I toyed with the idea of making an interview coding practice smartphone app, so people could practice anywhere or on the go. You guys look into any mobile products? Feel free to run wild with the idea if you like it =)
- soham 10y ago
  Thanks! :-) There already are a few mobile apps for this e.g. coderust, Job Bytes etc. In fact, there are many excellent resources out there viz. books and websites. Existence and availability of material is not a problem and will never be in this connected world. Problem is, that people don't get a chance to go thru that material properly. It needs a lot of dedication and a strong support system, which many people don't have. And hence, they squander a chance to work for best companies of their times, or even reach their true potential. That is what the course provides.
soham 10y ago
Folks, I have no idea why this post was downvoted. I have some karma to lose, but it'd be very helpful if the downvoters showed the courtesy to explain their action. I'd love to improve the post.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]

VOYD 10y ago

+100