In a lot of cases, the guy at the other end of the stick is going to do his damndest to make sure you stay where you are, because he likes being wealthy/in charge/whatever.
Flip the stick
21–30 of 53 posts
Re: Flip the stick
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's because he hasn't yet come to believe he's God. Hopefully he'll stay that way.
:-) Hacker News comments are really humbling. So many brilliant people here that really call you on your shit in an intelligent way. You can never mistakenly think you're brighter than most. Most of the time I feel, “Wow. I have nothing to add.”
Most of the time, I feel stupid here.
Re: Flip the stick
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
Good advice! Maybe avoid the phrase "pick your brain" when you ask, though. It's much more mutually-beneficial to offer up an interesting two-way conversation about a subject you're both interested in. ("You're doing some fascinating things with crowdsourcing. It's something I've been diving into as well, and have some ideas for you. At very least it'll be a good conversation. Can I treat you to a quick after-work dr…
Honestly, I think the 'pick your brain' approach would work better in a lot of cases. Particularly if you are inexperienced, young, etc. Personally, I would almost never turn down a request to meet from someone who wanted to ask me for help, advice, introductions, etc, but as soon as someone says they have ideas for me I get pretty suspicious. Nine times out of ten that guy is trying to sell you something. Of course,…
Agree... flattery is a reasonable way to a person's heart, particularly when it's justified by the person's success and your own low station.
Re: Flip the stick
#24Cool, this way it will never be possible for a small group of people to exploit everyone else for their own gain.
Oh, wait.
Re: Flip the stick
#25I know God. He's just like the man in the story -- you have to cultivate a relationship if you expect anything.
Re: Flip the stick
#26If you're young and you're depressed by the phrase "It's all about who you know", I really encourage you follow this quick, life-changing script: email two or three people in your town that can help you, and offer to buy them lunch so you can pick their brain. It's very easy to meet people, and you don't have to be fake, politic, or even very outgoing.
I do this fairly regularly but I'm always surprised by what I get out of it - and it does run both ways.
It's such a simple thing to do and at the very least will give you something to take pause on or motivate you to get through the rest of the week.
Re: Flip the stick
#27Don't like world hunger? Starve people yourself!
Don't like murder? Start killing people!
Re: Flip the stick
#28Don't like world hunger? Starve people yourself! Don't like murder? Start killing people!
That's not the point. The point is if you don't like what someone else (not something else) is doing to you, become one of them yourself.
Re: Flip the stick
#29Don't like world hunger? Starve people yourself! Don't like murder? Start killing people!
I guess you missed:
>(Then clean it, so it's not shitty for anyone else again.)
Re: Flip the stick
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
:-) Hacker News comments are really humbling. So many brilliant people here that really call you on your shit in an intelligent way. You can never mistakenly think you're brighter than most. Most of the time I feel, “Wow. I have nothing to add.”
Most of the time, I feel stupid here.
I went to the YC Meetup at SXSWi, and it was amazing how many quick and bright people there were. It made me respect the online group that much more.