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The game still exists in companies that build physical products, but I've found it's not quite as bad there. You're right, SV is the king of lying, along with

The game still exists in companies that build physical products, but I've found it's not quite as bad there. You're right, SV is the king of lying, along with any publicly traded company. My experience is small privately held businesses that offer physical product are the most pragmatic and 'honest.' The closer you are to the source of income, the less everything but the money matters. I like being only 1-2 steps from the money, because it means no one gives a flying fuck about anything other than the almighty dollar at all costs. At least that's a game I understand. More than 2 levels from the source of money and you're shit-deep into authoritarian politics land, where the name of the game is to buy social capital in the authoritarian structure of a corporation, with little direct ties and influence on the source of corporate persuasion (income). That is, when you're too far from the source of money, such as middle management or lower in a large corporation, your only real way to gain power is to become the most cunning psychopath rather than maximize profit. As an engineer, I've 'engineered' my personal solution by only taking jobs where I report directly to CEO/CTO/President so that politics dissolve into "make money or die." I much prefer it that way.

RhysU 5y ago
This is why I choose to be near a revenue center rather than a cost center.
bradlys 5y ago
I've been really close to the money making side of things and it hasn't changed anything. I think it's all dictated by the culture of the company. Almost every time, I work on the things that are making money and then the politics, the games, and the noise just come through no matter what. Maybe it works different in the physical goods space but as far as software goes - I see no difference no matter how close you are to the source of revenue.
IG_Semmelweiss 5y ago
This is a great understanding of how to keep your sanity as someone that just wants ro get sh*t done. This cannot be accomplished in a largecap company. Too many politic layers. Cant be done in a startup that is professionally backed - too much window dressing for investors. However, small privates are the sweet spot for honest workers. Get stuff done, or make sales, and ownership doesnt care if your hair is blue or your style is brash. In fact, most savvy owners will hire exactly that "rough" worker precisely because what they see is what they get. That worker is not an apiring manager, but an artisan, with no patience for nonsense, and ready to call out BS when they see it. That is management-repellant

RhysU 5y ago

This is why I choose to be near a revenue center rather than a cost center.

bradlys 5y ago

I've been really close to the money making side of things and it hasn't changed anything. I think it's all dictated by the culture of the company. Almost every time, I work on the things that are making money and then the politics, the games, and the noise just come through no matter what. Maybe it works different in the physical goods space but as far as software goes - I see no difference no matter how close you are to the source of revenue.

IG_Semmelweiss 5y ago

This is a great understanding of how to keep your sanity as someone that just wants ro get sh*t done. This cannot be accomplished in a largecap company. Too many politic layers. Cant be done in a startup that is professionally backed - too much window dressing for investors. However, small privates are the sweet spot for honest workers. Get stuff done, or make sales, and ownership doesnt care if your hair is blue or your style is brash. In fact, most savvy owners will hire exactly that "rough" worker precisely because what they see is what they get. That worker is not an apiring manager, but an artisan, with no patience for nonsense, and ready to call out BS when they see it. That is management-repellant