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by philk 5417 days ago
I know this is going to be unpopular and I know Sam has been remarkably tone deaf[1] when it comes to dealing with people but I'm disturbed by how much damage one stupid, somewhat douchey action is going to do his reputation.

[1] Yes, and even this latest pseudo-apology is poorly handled. He should have just stuck to a simple "didn't think that through, sorry to those I've offended, I've cancelled the auction and will return the money to any starbucks card Jonathan nominates" message but sometimes it can be hard to admit you've screwed up, particularly when you're getting a kicking for it.
3 comments
TillE 5417 days ago
Well, it's a good lesson in thinking about the consequences of your actions before you act. What you choose to do matters.

Not sure that would've helped in this case, though, since Odio still doesn't seem to get it.

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equalarrow 5417 days ago
Agreed. I felt like his post still seems to talk about the experiment as a whole and his action in the experiment vs. the 'why'.

I felt immediately that I got the why and a co-worker and I used two drinks on the card. We talked about it and the concept of the goodwill behind it. We definitely didn't feel like yuppie developers and we talked more about how different the world would be if more things were like this. Even about startups along these lines and what bigger ideas like these could change the world. Yes, a fantasy, but we felt that's what this was about.

Anyway, Odio's OP felt very much like business as usual in a cynical world vs. JC's actually doing something positive (even if it is just yuppie coffee). Odio's recent apology seems hollow and in my mind the damage has been done.

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avree 5416 days ago
Sorry, but he could have easily saved the situation with a little bit of social understanding and thought.

Tweets like this: https://twitter.com/#!/sodio/status/102435437930479616 are ridiculous.

"@sodio Sam Odio Starbucks gift card now up to $660. I've offered to sign it if that increases anyone's willingness to donate. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d…"

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larrys 5416 days ago
"I'm disturbed by how much damage one stupid, somewhat douchey action is going to do his reputation."

Sure but then there's infamy which has value. And this could potentially give him minor celebrity with traditional media. People make fools of themselves on reality tv all the time. And some of the fools end up way ahead in the game.

Sam's not Tiger Woods or anything. He's not going to lose any endorsements.

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