If these allegations turn out to be true I'm going to lose some respect for tech journalism.
Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
161–170 of 214 posts
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#162Earlier quoted context omitted.
"It "gave us confidence," says Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Wilkerson, former commander of the Marine Corps Reserve, who increased purchases of Lotus Notes after meeting Papows. "Jeff was a Phantom driver just like me."" This is exactly why people lie, because it doesn't matter how well your software works, what matters is that the people buying it feel like you're on the same team. Whether the CEO is a fighter pilot or not s…
My pet theory is that some people lie in order to "shield" other people from their own biases. For instance, let's say Indians have a reputation of being sloppy programmers. If I was a great Indian programmer and I knew about this reputation, I'd probably be tempted to lie about my nationality when applying for a remote job. Female authors have used this strategy for a long time by using male pen names.
>>let's say Indians have a reputation of being sloppy programmers
Firstly, you assume that Indians are sloppy programmers. And then you conclude?
>>I'd probably be tempted to lie about my nationality when applying for a remote job.
I am an Indian and I'm proud of my nationality. I would never lie, rather I'm proud to be associated with a nation and culture whose history dates back to the cradle of human civilization.
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#163I'm amazed that anybody gives a shit about this. It's a line on a résumé about a degree he earned 33 years ago. If he was 2 years out of college then lying about his degree would be material to his qualifications and compensation. After 30 years, what possible difference does it make? He is clearly qualified.
You missed the part where the lie is also on SEC filings. This exposes the entire company to liability. In this case it also gave a bullet to one faction during a war for the board. These are not the situations you want a CEO creating, no matter how they do it. That it's all from a relatively petty lie makes it all the more aggravating I'm sure.
Also, just to be clear:
I think the breach of ethics should be a big deal. We've grown too used to the idea that if you profit it's ok to commit some small deceptions. It's an acceptance that harms us all.
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#164Earlier quoted context omitted.
Maybe it isn't a problem, but actually something that makes her good at her job? I'd trust a long-time liar to recognize other liars better than an honest person, any day.
People always make this mistake. "Sure, she's a snake, but she'll be our snake". Yeah, right.
Pfizer's shareholders most certainly regret the day when the company thought Mary McLeod, their global head of HR, who was their snake, was a great hire.
A most interesting, alas lengthy, read about the whole sordid affair and why it may be a bad idea to hire a snake (or a multitude of them) can be found here : http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/28/pfizer-jeff...
[edit: grammar]
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#165Earlier quoted context omitted.
My pet theory is that some people lie in order to "shield" other people from their own biases. For instance, let's say Indians have a reputation of being sloppy programmers. If I was a great Indian programmer and I knew about this reputation, I'd probably be tempted to lie about my nationality when applying for a remote job. Female authors have used this strategy for a long time by using male pen names.
>> let's say Indians have a reputation of being sloppy programmers Firstly, you assume that Indians are sloppy programmers. And then you conclude? >> I'd probably be tempted to lie about my nationality when applying for a remote job. I am an Indian and I'm proud of my nationality. I would never lie, rather I'm proud to be associated with a nation and culture whose history dates back to the cradle of human civilizatio…
It is a thought experiment
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#166Earlier quoted context omitted.
My pet theory is that some people lie in order to "shield" other people from their own biases. For instance, let's say Indians have a reputation of being sloppy programmers. If I was a great Indian programmer and I knew about this reputation, I'd probably be tempted to lie about my nationality when applying for a remote job. Female authors have used this strategy for a long time by using male pen names.
>> let's say Indians have a reputation of being sloppy programmers Firstly, you assume that Indians are sloppy programmers. And then you conclude? >> I'd probably be tempted to lie about my nationality when applying for a remote job. I am an Indian and I'm proud of my nationality. I would never lie, rather I'm proud to be associated with a nation and culture whose history dates back to the cradle of human civilizatio…
It's ironic and also a little sad that by your poor reading comprehension skills, you sort of confirm or reinforce a point that he wasn't even making at all :/
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#167Earlier quoted context omitted.
Quality CEO's my ass. Salaries for CEOs are high because they work like the mob's "cleaners" a lot of the time, and because they come from an exclusive club who all hire each other.
or because it is a very difficult, high stress job that very few people can actually handle?
You mean like being a code monkey at a web agency, yet they get paid shit all? You mean like hitting rocks in a mine all day until your back gives up on you, yet they get paid shit all? You mean like trying to run a farm and competing against giant corporations who want to take over your business?
People at the top of the corporate and political ladders are excellent at one thing - bullshitting. Their job is the same difficulty as countless jobs which pay a tiny fraction of their salary. They're just good enough liars to convince everyone otherwise.
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#168Earlier quoted context omitted.
"Jobs didn't need a college degree to be a good CEO." Jobs didn't lie about having a degree either.
No, but he lied to his friend about a 50/50 split on work for $5000 claiming it was $750 and claimed he was sterile after fathering a child. http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/02/10-unusual-things-i-did...
I remember seeing the story of SJ lying to Wozniak, sometime back. And, I think that along with the 'fathering a child' lie, make up for much bigger lies and actually hurting others much more.
The kind of lie which Yahoo CEO made, is much softer in comparison. And its obviously a mistake which he made when he was young, and then got stuck with it.
The strong reaction on HN, perhaps, is a result of too many young people out here who put a greater importance to degree. I think, it matters to them much more, being just out of college.
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#169Earlier quoted context omitted.
or because it is a very difficult, high stress job that very few people can actually handle?
You mean like being a code monkey at a web agency, yet they get paid shit all? You mean like hitting rocks in a mine all day until your back gives up on you, yet they get paid shit all? You mean like trying to run a farm and competing against giant corporations who want to take over your business? People at the top of the corporate and political ladders are excellent at one thing - bullshitting. Their job is the same…
supply vs demand my friend.
Anyone can hit rocks in a mine. It might be hard and stressful work, but anyone can do it.
Not anyone can make decisions and lead an entire group of people.
Re: Yahoo CEO might have lied about having CS degree
#170Would the degree have mattered?
It's not so much about the degree, it's about the deception.