Stepping Back from Speaking

Despite this, part of me wonders if the reason to pick now as to time to stop doesn't have something to do with the criticism- valid or otherwise- he's now receiving. Some of his Clean Code videos have some pretty offensive stereotypes which have been pointed out. Some of his loud political views have been criticized. People are saying they won't share a stage with him.

People always have reasons to quit but the precise moment they choose to quit often tells the story of why they're really quitting.

I feel similarly before technical interviews and it’s really unpleasant, the fear holds you back from doing things you’d otherwise want to do.

It’s hard to evaluate sometimes or be honest with yourself if you’re making a decision based on what you want or if it’s a rationalization to avoid the fear.

I often suspect a lot of the dismissals of technical interviews are more about rationalizing responses to the fear.

It makes me wonder though, does he dislike giving talks or is it mostly the anxiety that he dislikes? They’re hard to separate. I can understand giving up on one to avoid the other.

I think most people don’t face the anxiety directly, they tend to avoid the task and stay in their comfortable zone - I can definitely understand why. It’s cool he faced it for the amount of time he did.

I always assume that the people doing talks are eager to do so, or at the very least find the adrenaline etc of the "performance" worth it when compared to the nerves and work involved.

I wonder if there are a lot of people in the "don't want to do this but feel I have to" category.

(I have no interest in public speaking, and don't make any effort to be put in such a position)