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Something tells me the real money comes from future consulting contracts and that this PR will more than pay for itself. Just like how everyone on HN agrees wri

Something tells me the real money comes from future consulting contracts and that this PR will more than pay for itself. Just like how everyone on HN agrees writing a book isn't a great use of time besides what it allows you to put on your resume. Just because Apple got an amazing bargain doesn't mean the payout for them won't be great as well.

ethanwillis 6y ago
One problem is this puts a downward pressure on others who demand fair compensation for their labor. Not everyone wants to play a long game of "maybe i'll get paid in the future from the 'experience'" This is the professional equivalent of having interns do a bunch of real work and throwing them a pizza party.
- mason240 6y ago
  This is very fair criticism for standard jobs like a regular software developer. For a role like this, where outsized skill of someone who is and needs to be elite should be rewarded with enormously outsized pay, I think this a good model.
  - ethanwillis 6y ago
    I think we're in agreement. But, I do find it wild that a group as decorated as this already can't even get compensation that is commensurate with their skill and experience without having to rely on intangible future benefits.
- PragmaticPulp 6y ago
  Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if other people don’t want to play the long game. This team does, they’re executing it well, and it will boost their careers as a result. Everything was done voluntarily by consenting professionals with the rules of the game outlined up front. Can’t really fault them for that.
  - ethanwillis 6y ago
    People can consent or do plenty of things that are allowable. That doesn't mean I can't fault the actions or dig deeper into whether or not it has other drawbacks (or even pros). Just because something is allowable doesn't mean it doesn't have other impacts. But to be clear that doesn't mean I think they (or someone else) should not be allowed to make this choice. The possibility should definitely exist. I just don't think it's a good choice in terms of it being a norm.
- ksm1717 6y ago
  Kind of a similar dilemma to strikebreaking
PragmaticPulp 6y ago
This is exactly why they’re writing a blog post about it. This type of social proof, when executed well, is a boon to one’s career opportunities and credibility for getting future consulting jobs. If they’re not hired by Apple, they’re going to move to the top of the list for info section recruiters everywhere. Being able to point to this blog post makes them an easy sell relative to some other person with a generic resume.

ethanwillis 6y ago

One problem is this puts a downward pressure on others who demand fair compensation for their labor. Not everyone wants to play a long game of "maybe i'll get paid in the future from the 'experience'" This is the professional equivalent of having interns do a bunch of real work and throwing them a pizza party.

mason240 6y ago
This is very fair criticism for standard jobs like a regular software developer. For a role like this, where outsized skill of someone who is and needs to be elite should be rewarded with enormously outsized pay, I think this a good model.
- ethanwillis 6y ago
  I think we're in agreement. But, I do find it wild that a group as decorated as this already can't even get compensation that is commensurate with their skill and experience without having to rely on intangible future benefits.
PragmaticPulp 6y ago
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if other people don’t want to play the long game. This team does, they’re executing it well, and it will boost their careers as a result. Everything was done voluntarily by consenting professionals with the rules of the game outlined up front. Can’t really fault them for that.
- ethanwillis 6y ago
  People can consent or do plenty of things that are allowable. That doesn't mean I can't fault the actions or dig deeper into whether or not it has other drawbacks (or even pros). Just because something is allowable doesn't mean it doesn't have other impacts. But to be clear that doesn't mean I think they (or someone else) should not be allowed to make this choice. The possibility should definitely exist. I just don't think it's a good choice in terms of it being a norm.
ksm1717 6y ago
Kind of a similar dilemma to strikebreaking

PragmaticPulp 6y ago

This is exactly why they’re writing a blog post about it. This type of social proof, when executed well, is a boon to one’s career opportunities and credibility for getting future consulting jobs. If they’re not hired by Apple, they’re going to move to the top of the list for info section recruiters everywhere. Being able to point to this blog post makes them an easy sell relative to some other person with a generic resume.