How an explorer of the South Pole did his employee recruiting

More interesting, I think, is the story of how they got themselves out of there after their boat was crushed in the pack ice. Utterly incredible. Navigators still regard their voyage and successful navigation to South Georgia island as practically supernatural. They traveled for 800 miles in the most hazardous south seas with scarcely any light in terrible weather. They were only able to make three readings. But they got right there.

"Most unfavourable conditions for observations. Misty with boat jumping like a flea and no limb for early am sight. Noon lat probably correct within a 10m limit."

-- Navigator's log.

Re: How an explorer of the South Pole did his employee recruiting

#5

Post by patio11 » Mon, Jan 05, 2009, 3:05 AM UTC

Which ad is your startup putting out?

Wanted. People (realistically, mostly men, but we live in enlightened times so we cloak reality in rhetoric) for programming. Low wages. Long hours, many in darkness, illuminated primarily by monitors. Maintenance of social life and health doubtful. Success extraordinarily unlikely. Riches beyond your wildest dreams in event of success.

or

Wanted. People who make things people pay for. Hours are not really remarkable. Engineering challenges are not really remarkable. Success is by no means assured but it is pretty likely. In the event of success, you'll do quite well but the honor and accolades will go to the one of the guys answering the other ad.

I kind of like ad #2 myself...

Re: How an explorer of the South Pole did his employee recruiting

#6

Post by wallflower » Mon, Jan 05, 2009, 3:10 AM UTC

Very interesting posts about the digital presidency - dig on his site.

Re: How an explorer of the South Pole did his employee recruiting

#7

Post by mathoda » Mon, Jan 05, 2009, 3:32 AM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #5

Which ad is your startup putting out? Wanted. People (realistically, mostly men, but we live in enlightened times so we cloak reality in rhetoric) for programming. Low wages. Long hours, many in darkness, illuminated primarily by monitors. Maintenance of social life and health doubtful. Success extraordinarily unlikely. Riches beyond your wildest dreams in event of success. or Wanted. People who make things people pa…

Sounds like a good A/B test.

Re: How an explorer of the South Pole did his employee recruiting

#8

Post by mathoda » Mon, Jan 05, 2009, 3:33 AM UTC

wallflower wrote: post #6

Very interesting posts about the digital presidency - dig on his site.

Thanks! They got written about in the NY Times :-)

Re: How an explorer of the South Pole did his employee recruiting

#9

Post by neilk » Mon, Jan 05, 2009, 4:00 AM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #5

Which ad is your startup putting out? Wanted. People (realistically, mostly men, but we live in enlightened times so we cloak reality in rhetoric) for programming. Low wages. Long hours, many in darkness, illuminated primarily by monitors. Maintenance of social life and health doubtful. Success extraordinarily unlikely. Riches beyond your wildest dreams in event of success. or Wanted. People who make things people pa…

   Luke: Listen, if you were to rescue her, the reward would be...
   Han Solo: What? 
   Luke: Well, more wealth than you can imagine!
   Han Solo: I don't know, I can *imagine* quite a bit.

Do you really think startups are the road to "riches beyond your wildest dreams"? Most of them get sold for finite amounts of cash, last time I checked. Typically, even key employees just get a few tens of thousands of dollars, and a stack of options that might be underwater before you exercise.

Becoming a millionaire is of course possible, but that barely gets you a down payment on a nice house in the Bay Area. This is very imaginable wealth.

You want to experience unimaginable wealth? Take a few thousand in savings and live in Laos for a while. Your wealth will literally be unimaginable to most of the natives you meet.

Re: How an explorer of the South Pole did his employee recruiting

#10

Post by herdrick » Mon, Jan 05, 2009, 7:27 AM UTC

DaniFong wrote: post #4

More interesting, I think, is the story of how they got themselves out of there after their boat was crushed in the pack ice. Utterly incredible. Navigators still regard their voyage and successful navigation to South Georgia island as practically supernatural. They traveled for 800 miles in the most hazardous south seas with scarcely any light in terrible weather. They were only able to make three readings. But they…

That is great stuff, but I favor Amundsen. For one thing he beat everyone to the Pole. His clearer thinking meant success and less suffering as a bonus.