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I totally agree with you about code not always (or never) being perfect in the real world. You are also correct in it was disrespectful and wouldn't happen if
by ryan_f 14y ago
I totally agree with you about code not always (or never) being perfect in the real world.
You are also correct in it was disrespectful and wouldn't happen if they were face to face.
BUT I do think an apology is enough, regardless of being called out on the internet. An asshole behind a keyboard doesn't use the same keyboard to say how they were wrong.
People make mistakes and when you do it on the internet it quickly amplifies.
You may say I am a little bias because I have met Corey in person. He was boarding a plane and I ran up and introduced myself after having heard one of his talks. He took his time while others boarded and was very courteous and friendly. So I trust in his apology and that he isn't an asshole in person or behind a keyboard.
- robomartin 14y agoWell, you are probably right. I don't know him, which means that I am operating with imperfect data. I still contend that a little more than an apology on a blog is in order. Perhaps a phone call or an in-person meeting if practical. If I am reading this correctly the comments affected Heather to the point that she had to cry. Not cool.
- coreyhaines 14y agoI've contacted her privately, as well. I thought it was important to publicly apologize, since I publicly said the mean thing.
- robomartin 14y agoYou are a gentleman. That was exactly the right thing to do. I'm sure you made her day. Wonderful.
- exodust 14y agoSo robomartin is happy? Good. The important thing here is that robomartin is satisfied that this incident has played out according to his guidelines on how such matters should be resolved.
- gruuby 14y agoI don't think your post is sincere enough, you should reach out to him personally. You come off as a bit too pleased as well, tone a down a notch.
- rjzzleep 14y agoYou are actually wrong about that. People tell each other how disgusting code that they wrote is in person all the time.
- biesnecker 14y agoIt least it takes a pair to look someone in the eyes and tell them they suck.
- onemorepassword 14y agoI think you're making the mistake a lot of people seem to make on HN, and in my experience is typical for programmers in general. Telling someone their code sucks does not equal telling them they suck. You are not your code.
- biesnecker 14y agoOne, I still think telling someone that something they have done sucks is harder to do in person than online. But two, the point is that the incident in question was pretty much "you suck because your code sucks."
- Devilboy 14y agoTelling someone their hard work and best efforts suck DOES hurt their feelings. If you don't recognize that and go around telling people their work sucks, then you might be an asshole.
- mikecane 14y ago>>>Telling someone their hard work and best efforts suck DOES hurt their feelings. And so what? You think books don't get bad reviews? Movies? TV shows? School tests? It's part of life. Take the hit, move on. Do better if you must. EDIT to add: When it comes to one-on-one being told your work sucks, the best response I think is this: "OK, if it sucks, tell me how, because I'm not yet able to see it and I'd rather not suck." That's better than just stewing in hurt feelings and never improving or knowing how to improve.
- __cle 14y agoWith Corey, it would happen face to face. I've witnessed it.
- incision 14y ago>An asshole behind a keyboard doesn't use the same keyboard to say how they were wrong. If the apology comes before the resulting firestorm, sure. Fact is, getting caught is a amazingly effectively catalyst for remorse.