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So long, and thanks for all the bytes

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Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#141

Post by johnnyanmac »

dangus wrote: post #78
IncreasePosts wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been working at Google about 10 years as "only" an L5 and have about $3M in stock just from stuff I haven't sold

Yeah, every ex-Googler “riding off into the sunset” blog post like this is pretty annoying. What’s even worse is when they do things like this post where there are little jokes about how it’s a financial burden to change careers or take a break rather than acknowledging how they have no risk of running out of money. Going to art school is the worst financial decision ever, tee hee! Yeah man, imagine what it must be l…

>What’s even worse is when they do things like this post where there are little jokes about how it’s a financial burden to change careers or take a break rather than acknowledging how they have no risk of running out of money.

I mean, I didn't read it like this. It is absolutely a horrible financial decision to quit a top position at google to go back to school and then try to be a comic (one of the hardest jobs to get paid anything for). I didn't take "bad financial decision" as "fatal decision that will land him on the streets".

>I’m not sure what I’m supposed to take away from it other than “must be nice.”

It's just a dude with a blog who clearly has engaged readers making a big update to his life (that may indirectly affect some readers who are involved in AOSP). I didn't take it as some pity party.

But my personal take is that it's okay to not spend your life minmaxing finances. and it's okay (if it's in your power) to "restart" your career, or make a lateral move. If you want to have a more cynical take: At some point money is made to be used and he has so much money that more money is less important than a true passion. If you ever make that much, consider it ass well.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#142

Post by dajtxx »

zhivota wrote: post #53
UncleOxidant wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But, yes, if someone has had a successful 35-40 year career in tech and has managed their finances reasonably, it's not unreasonable that they might decide to pack things in some years early Early? If you've been in tech (or any job, really) for 35 to 40 years you're going to be in your 60s (or close) which is a normal time to retire.

Yeah the real difference with tech, at least as it's been for the last while, is you can do it after 10-20 years. I've had a very middling career overall and after about 15 years I'm very close to being able to just move on and do anything else without worrying about day to day expenses. Now people who have run faster and faster on the hedonic treadmill with their inflated tech salaries, they are going to be in troub…

Lol, I’ve been at this for 36 years and am in more debt than ever with 4 kids to still support. I’m doing it wrong.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#143

Post by dajtxx »

Scubabear68 wrote: post #56
away271828 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Rich" is a bit of a loaded term. But, yes, if someone has had a successful 35-40 year career in tech and has managed their finances reasonably, it's not unreasonable that they might decide to pack things in some years early--especially if they're not wild about working at a behemoth company that isn't as much fun as it used to be.

There is a vast difference - literally vast - between Google employee’s salary over 14 years vs the median salary in IT overall. This is especially true if you consider salaries world wide vs just the United States.

Yeah, it’s really demoralising for those of us not on SV / FAANG salaries reading the comments on HN.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#144

Post by namaria »

Xeronate wrote: post #85

good for him and sounds like he really enjoyed tech. i burned out after 10 years and am going to art school now. makes me wonder if he wishes he did it earlier.

Took me about 6 years to go from "maybe I should understand computers, and Ruby seems pretty neat!" to "sight... devops is not a role". I'm getting into History professionally now and it's been a blast. Besides, with all the crazy bad primary source databases out there (there are some good ones, but some god-awful ones as well), I can see History needs developers who don't care about making the maximum bucks.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#145

Post by stareatgoats »

vitiral wrote: post #116
stareatgoats wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yeah, he swears he loves Google, Android and the rest - but he did put that title there didn't he? Come to think of it, that's one of the hallmarks of comedy - say one thing and subtly imply another ...

Just because you love a place doesn't mean you can't recognize when it's coming to an end. The Dolphins had a grand old time swimming and eating fish, but alas it was time to go. Not saying Google is coming to an end, but perhaps the author feels this way?

Maybe he does, who knows, but one thing is sure: Google will come to an end at some point. Is it anywhere close to now? Not likely but Google's ad based business model is under brutal attack from LLMs, it came suddenly and is no doubt sending quakes down the organization. Old-timers might not feel all that welcome any more.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#146

Post by away271828 »

johnnyanmac wrote: post #141
dangus wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, every ex-Googler “riding off into the sunset” blog post like this is pretty annoying. What’s even worse is when they do things like this post where there are little jokes about how it’s a financial burden to change careers or take a break rather than acknowledging how they have no risk of running out of money. Going to art school is the worst financial decision ever, tee hee! Yeah man, imagine what it must be l…

>What’s even worse is when they do things like this post where there are little jokes about how it’s a financial burden to change careers or take a break rather than acknowledging how they have no risk of running out of money. I mean, I didn't read it like this. It is absolutely a horrible financial decision to quit a top position at google to go back to school and then try to be a comic (one of the hardest jobs to g…

Yeah, he presumably put away a nice nest egg working at Google. It's not in any way wrong to remind others that, if they're lucky enough to be in a similar position, they don't necessarily need to work until "normal" retirement time if they/their families don't want that.

Personally, I feel like I got a bit greedy and could probably have called it quits a year or three back and been happier for it. I partly blame COVID for disrupting what might have otherwise been a better transition.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#147

Post by away271828 »

vitiral wrote: post #116
stareatgoats wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yeah, he swears he loves Google, Android and the rest - but he did put that title there didn't he? Come to think of it, that's one of the hallmarks of comedy - say one thing and subtly imply another ...

Just because you love a place doesn't mean you can't recognize when it's coming to an end. The Dolphins had a grand old time swimming and eating fish, but alas it was time to go. Not saying Google is coming to an end, but perhaps the author feels this way?

I've liked (often times a lot) parts of every job I've had. I've also been ready (or past ready really) to move on in I think every case.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#148

Post by nktrnk »

yawz wrote: post #2

Because of the downturn, I wonder how many people have given up on their careers at Tech? How many more will respond to the call of a different professional life that pays less, but that will be more fulfilling? Even as recent as yesterday I heard a past-colleague tell me "maybe Tech isn't for me, after all. I'll try my hand at this other thing."

The question I’ve been thinking about: what’s a better time to quit —- in a downturn or when things are going up?

If you can hold on to a job in a downturn, it’s a good opportunity to invest when the market is lower (which interestingly is not exactly the case now) so that you can benefit from it later.

But I guess the best time to quit is when you’re ready. Regardless of where in the cycle it is.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#149

Post by dangus »

johnnyanmac wrote: post #141
dangus wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, every ex-Googler “riding off into the sunset” blog post like this is pretty annoying. What’s even worse is when they do things like this post where there are little jokes about how it’s a financial burden to change careers or take a break rather than acknowledging how they have no risk of running out of money. Going to art school is the worst financial decision ever, tee hee! Yeah man, imagine what it must be l…

>What’s even worse is when they do things like this post where there are little jokes about how it’s a financial burden to change careers or take a break rather than acknowledging how they have no risk of running out of money. I mean, I didn't read it like this. It is absolutely a horrible financial decision to quit a top position at google to go back to school and then try to be a comic (one of the hardest jobs to g…

I agree that I’d spend my own money doing similar stuff if I had the means, I just wouldn’t be humble bragging on a blog for my “engaged readers” (is that what they call stans these days?) and downplaying my wealth while doing so.

Right there in the post the guy is trying to tell us how tough this endeavor is financially but we all logically know that isn’t true at all.

> worst financial decision I ever hope to make.

Imagine a rich guy buying a Porsche telling you that it’s the worst financial decision they’ve ever made with a chuckle. We’d all call that a dick move. Guess what costs more than a Porsche? That’s right, full price tuition at DePaul with Second City comedy lessons. Just like how Chris Rock got his start, right?

Hopefully his cool project management and tech industry comedy routine is amazing and makes his median income audience that can’t afford to purchase basic housing anymore roll on the floor laughing.

Re: So long, and thanks for all the bytes

#150

Post by johnnyanmac »

dangus wrote: post #149
johnnyanmac wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>What’s even worse is when they do things like this post where there are little jokes about how it’s a financial burden to change careers or take a break rather than acknowledging how they have no risk of running out of money. I mean, I didn't read it like this. It is absolutely a horrible financial decision to quit a top position at google to go back to school and then try to be a comic (one of the hardest jobs to g…

I agree that I’d spend my own money doing similar stuff if I had the means, I just wouldn’t be humble bragging on a blog for my “engaged readers” (is that what they call stans these days?) and downplaying my wealth while doing so. Right there in the post the guy is trying to tell us how tough this endeavor is financially but we all logically know that isn’t true at all. > worst financial decision I ever hope to make.…

Well that's why he didn't mention anything about money in the blog outside of "I know comedy makes less money than tech". That wasn't the focus nor takeaway.

And I don't really see how it's a humblebrag. Is recalling your career and accomplishments as you depart a company after 14 years a "humblebrag"? Would it be a humblebrag if he said he was retiring instead? Is having a blog in and of itself that talks about yourself bragging?

I think you're reading into things that either aren't there or weren't intended. He has an audience, he's leaving in midst of a downturn, and he's gonna be bombarded with questions and theories of layoffs if he said nothing. If nothing else, this blog is a firsthand account of what happened and why he won't be aroind the AOSP much. Hes even tongue in cheek about the lack of drama:

>For those brave souls who read this far looking for inside dirt on why I’m really leaving… I’m sorry to leave you so very unsatisfied. The company, the job, the people, and the work were great. But just in case there are any news site bots searching for possible clickbait stories, here’s a headline just for you: “Googler Quits to Do Something Very Different!”

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