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Fierce Nerds

paulgraham.com

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Re: Fierce Nerds

#461

Post by eps »

novosel wrote: post #372
greyhair wrote: post #347

I worked with a number of brilliant people at Bell Labs through the 1980s/1990s. The most comfortably competent among them, the most productive among them, were also the least abrasive. They were also the most self deprecating. Not just one or two, but the majority of them. To the point that the aggressive geniuses stood out. And I worked for/with two abrasive ones as well, so I know the difference. The same was true…

There is a Russian saying: Who is a wise man? The one that always seeks to occupy the smallest place/room. Nota Bene: I am not a Russian, but simply encountered this formulation several times.

What is the Russian version?

Re: Fierce Nerds

#463

Post by carapace »

username90 wrote: post #279
carapace wrote: post #73

To young "fierce nerds": The single best piece of advice I got for dealing with normals was, "Act like a dumbass and they'll treat you like an equal." (from the Book of the Subgenius.) - - - - There's a lot to unpack in this essay, some good some bad IMO. One thing I feel is worth mentioning: I don't think the cure for bitterness is success, I believe it's helping others .

Trying to help others just makes you more bitter.

How?

Re: Fierce Nerds

#464

Post by tutfbhuf »

It is possible on HN to hide certain posts. I really like this feature. I wonder whether it is possible to hide some websites like paulgraham.com altogether. That would be great.

Re: Fierce Nerds

#465

Post by mkoubaa »

peterthehacker wrote: post #428

The “fierce nerd” sounds a lot like what Reed Hastings (Netflix, Founder) calls “brilliant jerks.” To quote his recent book: > Sometimes really talented people have heard for so long how great they are, they begin to feel they really are better than everybody else. They might smirk at ideas they find unintelligent, roll their eyes when people are inarticulate, and insult those they feel are less gifted then they are.…

We're not talking about people who disrespect waitresses.

fierce =/= jerk. There are many well intentioned nerds who try their best to be considerate and kind that can't help but be impatient in technical discussions. Some organizations don't tolerate that and some do, and those who do are at a natural advantage.

Re: Fierce Nerds

#466

Post by Rastonbury »

ryandrake wrote: post #198
sangnoir wrote: post #169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think PG is trying to justify some kind of assholish behaviour in his past by reframing it as a virtue. I couldn't help but read part of it as a response to/rationalization of the recent pushback he (and other "fierce nerds") have been receiving lately...the former underdogs are now the establishment. The bad news is that if it's not exercised, your fierceness will turn to bitterness, and you will become an intel…

I think "shooter down of new ideas" is getting unfairly lumped in with those other actually-bad traits. If there's one thing a lot of "idea guys" and optimistic entrepreneurs tend to lack and need, it's a skeptical partner who keeps them grounded in reality. Someone who is experienced, seen it all, constructively critical. Someone who will say "Wait a minute, this was tried in the '80s, and it won't work. Maybe try t…

Sounds like the VC business model!

Re: Fierce Nerds

#467

Post by soheil »

TigeriusKirk wrote: post #166
soheil wrote: post #67

> 7 of the 8 richest people in America are now fierce nerds I wonder if he's counting Warren Buffet as a fierce nerd, I would.

He replied to a Twitter comment saying he doesn't. He said he didn't know anyone who knew Buffet well enough to say.

Maybe just a nerd then.

Re: Fierce Nerds

#468

Post by peterthehacker »

mkoubaa wrote: post #465
peterthehacker wrote: post #428

The “fierce nerd” sounds a lot like what Reed Hastings (Netflix, Founder) calls “brilliant jerks.” To quote his recent book: > Sometimes really talented people have heard for so long how great they are, they begin to feel they really are better than everybody else. They might smirk at ideas they find unintelligent, roll their eyes when people are inarticulate, and insult those they feel are less gifted then they are.…

We're not talking about people who disrespect waitresses. fierce =/= jerk. There are many well intentioned nerds who try their best to be considerate and kind that can't help but be impatient in technical discussions. Some organizations don't tolerate that and some do, and those who do are at a natural advantage.

> We're not talking about people who disrespect waitresses

Right, we’re not. We’re referring to behavior in the workplace.

> There are many well intentioned nerds who try their best to be considerate and kind that can't help but be impatient in technical discussions.

This is true, but I don’t think that accurately describes pg’s definition of a “fierce nerd” in the article. Also, Netflix would probably still classify someone like this as a “brilliant jerk”. Maybe they would give this nerd a chance to change their behavior, since it’s unintentional.

> Some organizations don't tolerate that and some do, and those who do are at a natural advantage.

These days, no one could confidently make the claim that Netflix has a “natural disadvantage” in this respect. They have the strongest technology in their market and have no lack of talent in any of their technical departments.

Companies that win have top talent, but this talent needs to be able to work with the team effectively. Whether you want to use the term “jerk” or “fierce”, if a team member is being disrespectful to other team members then the team breaks down.

Re: Fierce Nerds

#470

Post by [deleted] »

solipsism wrote: post #395
greyhair wrote: post #347

I worked with a number of brilliant people at Bell Labs through the 1980s/1990s. The most comfortably competent among them, the most productive among them, were also the least abrasive. They were also the most self deprecating. Not just one or two, but the majority of them. To the point that the aggressive geniuses stood out. And I worked for/with two abrasive ones as well, so I know the difference. The same was true…

Yeah, it's remarkable to me that this article could be written to provide advice to "fierce nerds", and not include a single sentence about not being an asshole. I work with "fierce nerds". Some of them are self-aware, and try very very hard not to be assholes to the people around them. They do this without sacrificing their passion. And they are tolerable to work with only because they consciously push back against…

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