4 ms·

Well, maybe it's my personality, but I expect people to be basically honest. I realize people lie constantly, but why should we believe anything that they say i

Well, maybe it's my personality, but I expect people to be basically honest. I realize people lie constantly, but why should we believe anything that they say if we assume they are lying? As in, if I believe that Steve Ballmer is lying about the iPhone being an overpriced product that won't sell, why should I believe him when he says that Windows Phone will sell millions of devices and that it's worth developing for? I realize that nobody wants to admit that their competitors are making a good or better product than you, but I don't see why they wouldn't be willing to tell the truth. Maybe it's a midwest thing, but if we assume that Jobs, Ballmer, and Rubin are all lying through their teeth, why would we ever buy their products? That is even dumber than believing they are telling the truth. The only thing dumber than trusting someone is buying from someone you don't trust.

cooldeal 14y ago
Ever had to use a lawyer? You'll probably find no lawyer that hasn't 'lied' in some court case. In fact, it's a lawyer's job to present his client the best way in a court case to get the least punishment. What about buying a car or used car from a car dealer? Your salesman is 99.9999999% a liar. >why should I believe him when he says that Windows Phone will sell millions of devices and that it's worth developing for Why are someone's words or opinions enough to sway you? Can't you do your own research on the company's track record, the public demos, the public sales data etc. to make a (semi)informed decision? Ballmer could be telling the truth but he might be wrong in retrospect since he's heavily involved in the decisions on Windows Phone and would've changed course if he thinks it wouldn't succeed. Also, the politically correct word is 'spin', not lying. There are entire professions where you need to spin your way through. PR, Law, selling cars etc. come to mind. Perhaps take a poll on HN about how many people lied or hid the truth in an interview. I think you might find yourself leaving HN after seeing the results if you're so fixated on absolute honesty.
oz 14y ago
"if we assume that Jobs, Ballmer, and Rubin are all lying through their teeth, why would we ever buy their products?" Because the merits of a product have little or nothing to do with the public statements of their makers.

cooldeal 14y ago

Ever had to use a lawyer? You'll probably find no lawyer that hasn't 'lied' in some court case. In fact, it's a lawyer's job to present his client the best way in a court case to get the least punishment. What about buying a car or used car from a car dealer? Your salesman is 99.9999999% a liar. >why should I believe him when he says that Windows Phone will sell millions of devices and that it's worth developing for Why are someone's words or opinions enough to sway you? Can't you do your own research on the company's track record, the public demos, the public sales data etc. to make a (semi)informed decision? Ballmer could be telling the truth but he might be wrong in retrospect since he's heavily involved in the decisions on Windows Phone and would've changed course if he thinks it wouldn't succeed. Also, the politically correct word is 'spin', not lying. There are entire professions where you need to spin your way through. PR, Law, selling cars etc. come to mind. Perhaps take a poll on HN about how many people lied or hid the truth in an interview. I think you might find yourself leaving HN after seeing the results if you're so fixated on absolute honesty.

oz 14y ago

"if we assume that Jobs, Ballmer, and Rubin are all lying through their teeth, why would we ever buy their products?" Because the merits of a product have little or nothing to do with the public statements of their makers.