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I upvoted you to cancel out the downvote, but I disagree. First of all, the "professional activist" gig that you're talking about is one with a power-law distr

I upvoted you to cancel out the downvote, but I disagree. First of all, the "professional activist" gig that you're talking about is one with a power-law distribution. Most people who speak out against bad behavior by employers end up losing for it. (I can speak to this one, personally.) Sure, there are a few people who hit big and make enough money to support themselves, but they're very rare. From an expected-value perspective, she reduced her earning potential, even including the possibility of winning the suit. While she was asking for $16 million, as a lawyer, she probably knew that even had she won, she'd be lucky to get 1/5 of that, net of attorney fees. Meanwhile, she endangered her ability to ever return to venture capital. Also, Sheryl Sandberg isn't really a professional activist. She's establishment. "Lean in", as I understand it, isn't about up-ending the corporate regime but adapting to it.

stolio 12y ago
I appreciate the corrective upvote. I also agree that the professional activist gig is rare and difficult to land, but that doesn't mean people don't try. Pao is already making waves by cleaning up the "woman-hating mess" that is reddit. She's already gained hero status[0] within some circles for this lawsuit (sorry for the pay wall). It's hard to place a monetary value on securing yourself a place in the history books but that's what she's done, in 50 years her name will be listed among the brave women who fought for a better world. Add in the human aspect of maybe not wanting to admit some personal failures and the lower bound of legitimacy needed to bring the suit isn't very high. You seemed to be saying you couldn't see any possible motivation other than the legitimacy of the lawsuit, so I'm suggesting there are several beyond the obvious payout. On Sandberg being establishment, I agree. But I don't think I agree that feminism in general or "professional activists" are anti-establishment. [0] - http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/Ellen-Pao-like-Anita-Hill-changing-the-dialogue-6149161.php http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/Ellen-Pao-like-An...

stolio 12y ago

I appreciate the corrective upvote. I also agree that the professional activist gig is rare and difficult to land, but that doesn't mean people don't try. Pao is already making waves by cleaning up the "woman-hating mess" that is reddit. She's already gained hero status[0] within some circles for this lawsuit (sorry for the pay wall). It's hard to place a monetary value on securing yourself a place in the history books but that's what she's done, in 50 years her name will be listed among the brave women who fought for a better world. Add in the human aspect of maybe not wanting to admit some personal failures and the lower bound of legitimacy needed to bring the suit isn't very high. You seemed to be saying you couldn't see any possible motivation other than the legitimacy of the lawsuit, so I'm suggesting there are several beyond the obvious payout. On Sandberg being establishment, I agree. But I don't think I agree that feminism in general or "professional activists" are anti-establishment. [0] - http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/Ellen-Pao-like-Anita-Hill-changing-the-dialogue-6149161.php http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/Ellen-Pao-like-An...