Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by runawaybottle 2230 days ago
So let’s discuss how manipulation was used:

> Declare that there are too many admins and that there needs to be a stricter policy to define who can be an admin.

> Take it on yourself to define (or redefine) that policy and present it to the system owner in your organization. Make sure you fit the new definition and make sure that staple admins are also included.

> No one remembers why you’re admin, but you’re setting the rules now so no one can dispute it. Victory!

What are we even discussing here? This is such a indicator of bad character.

1 comments

I think some of it was tongue-in-cheek...
It might be, but it might not. The author has left it ambiguous.
> No one remembers why you’re admin, but you’re setting the rules now so no one can dispute it. Victory!

I really don't think this is ambiguous. It's very clearly meant to be funny rather than serious.

> I really don't think this is ambiguous. It's very clearly meant to be funny rather than serious.

Taking individual sentences in isolation is one thing.

Taking them in the context of the entire post is another. In the context of the entire post, I see plenty of ambiguity in this sentence.

Although I'm sure the author had no malicious intent, I'm reminded of certain subcultures disguising not-so-great behavior behind comedy so they can claim it isn't serious when criticized.

Edit: and I've just now remembered what a great laugh I had reading some of the language in "The Anarchist Cookbook" even though all those non-traditional fire recipes were certainly meant to be used for some kind of malicious act :)

Ah ok, well now I feel like a dumbass.

But hey you never know, some sociopaths will totally write something like this.