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It's a defense mechanism for sure - but not for that reason. The real reason, in my view, is that techies are terrible at recognizing intelligence/skill if it d

It's a defense mechanism for sure - but not for that reason. The real reason, in my view, is that techies are terrible at recognizing intelligence/skill if it does not somehow relate to math, logic, or, more concretely, code. I have no idea why, but the shoe fits. When presented with the numerous and obvious counter-examples to "MBA's are full of shit", they clam up and resort to "yeah, but they're assholes, immoral, and basically stole their way to the top". If you can't code, you're not smart. And if you're not smart, how are you more successful than me? (Success is derived from smarts, right? Dammit, I'm SMART.) Therefore you must be a cheating douche bag. And man, there are a lot of you cheating douche bags. No, the problem is not the MBA. It is the refusal of some to accept a broader world view in which different people can do great things despite vastly varying approaches and skills.

burgerbrain 15y ago
"It's a defense mechanism for sure - but not for that reason. The real reason, in my view, is that techies are terrible at recognizing intelligence/skill if it does not somehow relate to math, logic, or, more concretely, code. I have no idea why, but the shoe fits." I really don't agree. I have/had nothing against business people (they always threw way better parties in college after all ;). Similarly, MBAs are great at running businesses. The trouble arises when we do what we did in the 90s and let them drive the businesses, make the businesses, that sort of thing. The issue can be summed up I think as MBAs squeezing out high status technologists (http://www.codebelay.com/blog/2011/08/14/low-status-and-high-status-technologists/ http://www.codebelay.com/blog/2011/08/14/low-status-and-high...). When that happens, the 90s happen. To fight this perceived threat, we have negative stereotypes that keep people on their toes. They are essentially antibody memes.
- eazolan 15y ago
  <i>Similarly, MBAs are great at running businesses. </i> Incorrect. An MBA is only proven to be great at one thing. Getting a Masters in Business degree.

burgerbrain 15y ago

"It's a defense mechanism for sure - but not for that reason. The real reason, in my view, is that techies are terrible at recognizing intelligence/skill if it does not somehow relate to math, logic, or, more concretely, code. I have no idea why, but the shoe fits." I really don't agree. I have/had nothing against business people (they always threw way better parties in college after all ;). Similarly, MBAs are great at running businesses. The trouble arises when we do what we did in the 90s and let them drive the businesses, make the businesses, that sort of thing. The issue can be summed up I think as MBAs squeezing out high status technologists (http://www.codebelay.com/blog/2011/08/14/low-status-and-high-status-technologists/ http://www.codebelay.com/blog/2011/08/14/low-status-and-high...). When that happens, the 90s happen. To fight this perceived threat, we have negative stereotypes that keep people on their toes. They are essentially antibody memes.

eazolan 15y ago
<i>Similarly, MBAs are great at running businesses. </i> Incorrect. An MBA is only proven to be great at one thing. Getting a Masters in Business degree.