[nocman]

> the author should realize that "passionate" as used in this context is effectively synonymous with "cares"

I think that largely depends on who is using the word. Personally, I'm sick of seeing the word "passionate" thrown around in job listings. It comes off as "we really need to use this buzzword", and 90% of the time feels disingenuous.

Much of the time I end up interpreting it as "someone who is willing to work a lot of uncompensated extra hours". I say this as a person who very much cares about their craft, and wants to do excellent work as much as it is within my power to do so. I also do spend a lot of my free time learning new things related to my profession.

I'm not saying everyone who uses that word is intending to take advantage of their future employees desire to excel. It just seems like most of the times I see it, the job listing ends up being one that I'm less likely to be interested in.