[natex]

> I read this twice just to make sure I didn't miss something, and I don't actually see a reason why. I don't actually see a reason why.

(Stated right in the sixth paragraph.) I’m going to take a break, and a research fellowship, as a place to think about what’s next. It’s hard to think about your future when you’re fully in your present, and for the past seven years, I’ve been fully present for this movement. But as I look around, I see global challenges such as polarization, inequality, and climate change, as well as opportunities for generational renewal and optimism. As a Wikimedian, I lean toward optimism, and plan to head in that direction.

[nickff]

That's not really a reason why, it's the (vague) plan going forward.

[natex]

They want a break from their present situation so they can concentrate on planning for their future plans since it's hard to plan for the future when they are fully involved in the present. That's why. Not vague at all.

[YeGoblynQueenne]

Can I ask, why are you using "they"? The article lists the author's name as Katherine Maher and you can see a picture of a woman when you click it.

Edit: her wikipedia page also uses "she" and "her" etc throughout.

[casi]

I know when I talk about someone I don't know I use "they". It isn't to do with not knowing preferred pronouns, more like a type of formal speech about an unknown person. Maybe it is a regional/dialect thing? I would read an article about a person, and then still talk about them/they rather than he/her. I think it is tied to them being unfamiliar, as I wouldn't do that with a celebrity.

If i replace she in op's line "She wants a break" it feels like they are writing about someone more familiar to them. "They" implies distance between the observer and observed.

[nickff]

That may be what you think is going on, but isn't necessarily true. They might have been forced out, or quit because of stress or interpersonal conflict. There is no 'because' in the former CEO's statement.

[natex]

OP didn't ask what was true. Just what the stated reason was. The CEO did state reasons. Can't believe I have to say this on HN, "because" is implied.

[nickff]

You inferred this motive, from the former CEO's plan. The CEO did not explicitly state that they were quitting because they wanted time and space to plan their future.

[natex]

> The CEO did not explicitly state that they were quitting because they wanted time and space to plan their future.

Yes they did.

[cwyers]

To me, that is "what comes next." If she didn't leave, she wouldn't need to think about her future, because her future would be "keep doing this."