Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 61 posts

Re: Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

#21

Post by stfu »

mantrax5 wrote: post #8
jasoncartwright wrote: post #2

> we live in a country, where things like perfection, attention to detail mean nothing Is this actually true? Seems like a kneejerk generalisation. If it is true, then surely this is a huge opportunity.

There are entire countries where the modus operandi is finding a position of some power, then finding a way to cheat there so you can get something for yourself. Corruption is a measure of success. Knowing the loopholes and exploiting them means you're the smart one among a sea of clueless idiots. People get "secret" respect for being corrupted. Former Soviet block countries are one example of this mentality. There's…

I never understood why somebody would not find a way to arrange themselves with these types of situations.

There seemed to be three option, either actively start a movement to change the system, or position yourself to profit from the system, or leave the system. Just going around "the system is against me" is one of those victim positions that make yourself feel good but won't make any difference for anyone.

Re: Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

#22

Post by jerf »

jasoncartwright wrote: post #2

> we live in a country, where things like perfection, attention to detail mean nothing Is this actually true? Seems like a kneejerk generalisation. If it is true, then surely this is a huge opportunity.

Cultures really are different, diverse, and have different priorities, in deep and meaningful ways.

Political correctness' "diversity that is disguised homogeneity where every really just agrees with me deep down inside, whether they know it or not, and all cultures are the same except for the superficial trivialities of what songs they sing, what clothes they wear, and what holidays they celebrate" is not an accurate picture of the world, and really quite provincial and imperialist (imposing your view on the whole world) on its own, despites its pretenses to sophistication and worldliness.

Re: Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

#24

Post by mantrax5 »

stfu wrote: post #21
mantrax5 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are entire countries where the modus operandi is finding a position of some power, then finding a way to cheat there so you can get something for yourself. Corruption is a measure of success. Knowing the loopholes and exploiting them means you're the smart one among a sea of clueless idiots. People get "secret" respect for being corrupted. Former Soviet block countries are one example of this mentality. There's…

I never understood why somebody would not find a way to arrange themselves with these types of situations. There seemed to be three option, either actively start a movement to change the system, or position yourself to profit from the system, or leave the system. Just going around "the system is against me" is one of those victim positions that make yourself feel good but won't make any difference for anyone.

Who is assuming that "system is against me" victim position you're talking about? I don't see it.

People do what they can in their position. Spontaneous organization leading to system change happens, but it's spontaneous.

Maybe you're imagining some kind of movie montage set to 80s bad disco music, where a guy Decides to Make a Movement, and a movement gets assembled and in the end we get a wide shot with hundreds of thousands of people doing system changy thingies, but reality usually doesn't work this way.

You can't just decide this, especially if you're a ~60 years old network engineer. Deciding to build a life abroad at that age is also quite unlikely.

Re: Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

#25

Post by S4M »

eagerNewb wrote: post #12
LTheobald wrote: post #5

So I've got to ask - what country?. Riots and a controlling government doesn't narrow it down. Is there any chance of emigrating? How are your dad's language skills - how's his English for example? What things has he tried? Sending out speculative letters? Taking unpaid placements (if possible) to get a foot in the door?

The country is Bulgaria. His English is fluent. He has developed a project which requires funding, yet no one wants to fund, because of the unstable situation.

Have you thought of doing a Kickstarter?

Re: Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

#26

Post by callum85 »

stfu wrote: post #21
mantrax5 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are entire countries where the modus operandi is finding a position of some power, then finding a way to cheat there so you can get something for yourself. Corruption is a measure of success. Knowing the loopholes and exploiting them means you're the smart one among a sea of clueless idiots. People get "secret" respect for being corrupted. Former Soviet block countries are one example of this mentality. There's…

I never understood why somebody would not find a way to arrange themselves with these types of situations. There seemed to be three option, either actively start a movement to change the system, or position yourself to profit from the system, or leave the system. Just going around "the system is against me" is one of those victim positions that make yourself feel good but won't make any difference for anyone.

That's easy to say. If you were actually living in that situation, the solution would be less obvious. People have home, roots, family. A situation like that is not black and white. Life is complicated and things are difficult. Be kind.

Re: Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

#29

Post by brickcap »

What I am saying is not a solution to your problem but have you considered suing the organization that did not pay your dad for 7 months? It won't help him get a job but I think it is quite unfair that the organization which profited immensely from his hard unpaid labour should be allowed to walk away. I am assuming of course that being involved in a lawsuit would not lower is his prospects of finding a job.

Re: Ask HN: How can i help my dad?

#30

Post by dewey »

S4M wrote: post #25
eagerNewb wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The country is Bulgaria. His English is fluent. He has developed a project which requires funding, yet no one wants to fund, because of the unstable situation.

Have you thought of doing a Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is US/UK-only.
Post reply on HN