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The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

lesspenguiny.com

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Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#111

Post by calhoun137 »

rb808 wrote: post #66

I really dont like bragging, but I've noticed in groups where no one is bragging or talking about themselves its really boring. I have a bunch of really smart friends who do really interesting things and when we meet up its like what are you up to? Nothing much. Nothing interesting. Later you find out that they just visited Mongolia, another is learning Russian and the other built renewable power system for a holiday…

This. I try to never brag, but I do it without realizing it sometimes. You are lucky to have such smart and humble friends! Unlike you, I am so much smarter than everyone I know irl. Just telling people what I had for breakfast, much less what I was working on while I ate it, literally makes people feel bad about themselves. I'd love to expand on this idea but you guys are smart just like me so I probably don't even need to explain anymore. I also need to get back to this calculation I am doing for my deep learning nueral network model to search for a possible newly discovered particle at CERN, where I work.

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#112

Post by C4stor »

akhilcacharya wrote: post #90
C4stor wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, I'm guilty of that, but it's because I don't assume people actually know the specific company I work at, or the university I went to. Even if the latter is generally deemed "prestigious", in the end, only a small set of people know it, so it's a generally useless precision. Admittedly, if you work for a let's say a GAFA, you can probably safely assume people know the name. But for let's say MIT, I'd very curiou…

> I don't assume people actually know the specific company I work at, or the university I went to. When I started interning out of state I thought this as well, but then people thought I was just obfuscating going to Duke or UNC (when in reality my actual school was a few tiers lower). In most circumstances where this sort of thing would come up, I would imagine even the general public would understand the weight MIT…

Haha, I don't know either Duke or UNC ! (but I'm french, so there's that I suppose...)

Around there, GAFA is what you said except it's Amazon and not AirBnb

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#113

Post by joncrane »

Do people really brag about their salary? I've always found that announcing my income will provoke jealousy and the expectation that I'll "invite" people to more things.

Perhaps it's also tinged with a little bit of inner guilt that I should be doing more for people that are less fortunate.

But I've always had a policy of "that's between me and my accountant (though my accountant recently has been those cheap online tax filing websites)." For example if a recruiter tries to ask me how much money I make. I have shared with my mother and my uncle also.

What are some HN commenters' attitudes or policies towards this and how is it working for you?

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#114

Post by hondadriver »

jaclaz wrote: post #99

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see what I call "deal bragging" (which is very common I believe and that particularly irks me). Basically everyone (but me) manages to get things (or work done) for much less than their common market value is or however much less than what I can get it at. Be it a car, a pair of trousers or a phone, or the renovation works of his/her bathroom, the "deal bragger" tells you that he/she f…

This!

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#115

Post by archiepeach »

I read the entire article to my girlfriend earlier. Yes, she can read, she just prefers to listen to the sound of my own voice #blessed. Just wanted to say a big thank you! It prompted a lengthy discussion that went on till late. Would love to read some more of the potential articles you’re thinking about writing.

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#116

Post by archiepeach »

less_penguiny wrote: post #49
brianmcc wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have now subscribed! What ideas you thinking about for your next pieces? And what are your goals if you don't mind me asking, I mean I don't see any obvious monetization stuff on your site? If you get 10m views a month does that help you avoid rejoining the rat race or are you not really thinking so far ahead yet?

I'm at a juncture – my last project wound down and I'm considering where to take my career next. Basically my main two options are: * start another technical company and go all-in * freelance half of the time, spend the other half on the LessPenguiny project. Monetization would be nice, but it isn't necessary. I'd sacrifice cash for impact in this area. As for future pieces, I've analyzing my data (about 2000 observa…

There have been times where I’ve off-handedly complimented someone, and their ensuing uncomfortableness makes me feel uncomfortable. Would love to read your insights on the topic!

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#117

Post by archiepeach »

sethammons wrote: post #67
less_penguiny wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm at a juncture – my last project wound down and I'm considering where to take my career next. Basically my main two options are: * start another technical company and go all-in * freelance half of the time, spend the other half on the LessPenguiny project. Monetization would be nice, but it isn't necessary. I'd sacrifice cash for impact in this area. As for future pieces, I've analyzing my data (about 2000 observa…

I'm interested in the compliment one! If is see someone compliment-worthy, I nearly universally don't give the compliment. Ex, "that's a wonderful dress" as I pass someone on the train. Instead of potentially brightening someone's day, I'm worried I'll be considered some creep.

Yep, it’s definitely tricky gauging when and how to complement a stranger. I find it quite fun complimenting my friends and acquaintances. It’s really just quite funny to see a person’s reaction to a completely “curveball” type compliment that you throw at them out of the blue.

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#118

Post by archiepeach »

sethammons wrote: post #67
less_penguiny wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm at a juncture – my last project wound down and I'm considering where to take my career next. Basically my main two options are: * start another technical company and go all-in * freelance half of the time, spend the other half on the LessPenguiny project. Monetization would be nice, but it isn't necessary. I'd sacrifice cash for impact in this area. As for future pieces, I've analyzing my data (about 2000 observa…

I'm interested in the compliment one! If is see someone compliment-worthy, I nearly universally don't give the compliment. Ex, "that's a wonderful dress" as I pass someone on the train. Instead of potentially brightening someone's day, I'm worried I'll be considered some creep.

I can remember a specific time where I complimented a stranger. I was probably around sixteen or seventeen. A young lady was sitting in front of me on the bus and obviously quite nervous. I noticed that she would repeatedly dig in to her handbag, get out her makeup, make the smallest adjustment to her face, then put her makeup away again. She must have done this four or five times, putting the entire makeup box away and getting it out again each time. I told myself if she does it one more time, I’ll say something. Lo and behold she starts to get her makeup out again, so I tapped her on the shoulder. She spun round, and I said “You’re pretty enough.” She beamed me a huge smile, sheepishly said thank you and wished me a good day when she got off the bus.

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#119

Post by hnzix »

less_penguiny wrote: post #49
brianmcc wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have now subscribed! What ideas you thinking about for your next pieces? And what are your goals if you don't mind me asking, I mean I don't see any obvious monetization stuff on your site? If you get 10m views a month does that help you avoid rejoining the rat race or are you not really thinking so far ahead yet?

I'm at a juncture – my last project wound down and I'm considering where to take my career next. Basically my main two options are: * start another technical company and go all-in * freelance half of the time, spend the other half on the LessPenguiny project. Monetization would be nice, but it isn't necessary. I'd sacrifice cash for impact in this area. As for future pieces, I've analyzing my data (about 2000 observa…

> why some people seem so impossibly warm

Not to be confused with the manipulative charisma of a narcissist, these peeps are just a little bowl of Californian sunshine. I'm always downlow super jealous because as far as I can tell it's completely effortless and unforced. I can switch it on but there's a small yet infinite difference. Pheromones? Excess oxytocin? Or is it metaphysics?

Re: The Best Article Ever Written About Bragging

#120

Post by theycallmestacy »

hnzix wrote: post #27

It's almost as if we're a bunch of barely evolved primates jockeying over money, power and status for a limited pool of breeding partners and resources. Of course I realized long ago that I'm above such petty concerns.

I must agree, for I, too, have highly refined patterns.
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