4 ms·

Humility is certainly something to strive for, however I disagree that you should envision yourself as a "terrible" programmer. One thing I've learned the hard

Humility is certainly something to strive for, however I disagree that you should envision yourself as a "terrible" programmer. One thing I've learned the hard way is that self-deprecation only works in British comedy. In the USA most people don't get it and it not only damages your career but your dating and social life, too.

timcederman 18y ago
Self-deprecation is a survival mechanism in Australia, what with the tall-poppy syndrome. But you're right -- very different in the US.
yason 18y ago
This is an interesting and apparently culture-dependent difference. Can you elaborate a bit on this, please? How it works, and why is it like that? What's the mentality behind people's minds there? Does it hold for everyone, just geeks or everyone but geeks? What do you have to say in order to look good? How truthful -- I mostly agree with the article -- can you stay while still keeping other people thinking you're good?
- danohuiginn 18y ago
  Think of it as analogous to bling. If you wear lots of gold, drive a sports car, etc, you're showing you've got enough cash to blow it on non-essentials. If you're self-deprecating, you show that you have enough status to waste it by downplaying your achievements.
  - yason 18y ago
    Sorry, I should have been more explicit; I meant the other way around. The self-deprecating dynamics I get, the U.S. version I don't -- probably just because of that :-) I would still appreciate thoughts on why and how?
discojesus 18y ago
One thing I've learned the hard way is that self-deprecation only works in British comedy. In the USA most people don't get it and it not only damages your career but your dating and social life, too. The greatest (or second greatest, depending on your opinion of "The Honeymooners") and most popular sitcom in American television history was almost entirely based on self-deprecation (Seinfeld).

timcederman 18y ago

Self-deprecation is a survival mechanism in Australia, what with the tall-poppy syndrome. But you're right -- very different in the US.

yason 18y ago

This is an interesting and apparently culture-dependent difference. Can you elaborate a bit on this, please? How it works, and why is it like that? What's the mentality behind people's minds there? Does it hold for everyone, just geeks or everyone but geeks? What do you have to say in order to look good? How truthful -- I mostly agree with the article -- can you stay while still keeping other people thinking you're good?

danohuiginn 18y ago
Think of it as analogous to bling. If you wear lots of gold, drive a sports car, etc, you're showing you've got enough cash to blow it on non-essentials. If you're self-deprecating, you show that you have enough status to waste it by downplaying your achievements.
- yason 18y ago
  Sorry, I should have been more explicit; I meant the other way around. The self-deprecating dynamics I get, the U.S. version I don't -- probably just because of that :-) I would still appreciate thoughts on why and how?

discojesus 18y ago

One thing I've learned the hard way is that self-deprecation only works in British comedy. In the USA most people don't get it and it not only damages your career but your dating and social life, too. The greatest (or second greatest, depending on your opinion of "The Honeymooners") and most popular sitcom in American television history was almost entirely based on self-deprecation (Seinfeld).