[s1artibartfast]

>Why should one work hard if there is a high chance of some global sweep soon, where they might randomly pick me without any reasoning.

This seems like taking huge logical leaps. If a friend expressed mine expressed it I would recommend them talking to a therapist about their self sabotaging thinking and perhaps depression.

If there is a layoff and I am at risk, I would rather have hard work to show. If Im not laid off, I would rather have hard work to capitalize on the aftermath. If I am laid off, I would rather have good reputation with my network .

[johannes1234321]

The thing is: These broad RIFs have very little to do with individual performance.

[s1artibartfast]

What I said is true even if you believe it is random (which I don't).

Good work output is the smart choice if I will be retained OR if I will be fired. crapping out ignores the fact that the chance of being fired is low, even if it is random (google isnt going to go full twitter, if there even is a layoff). Being the guy who's work goes to shit when a layoff is announced sticks with you if you stay. If your boss is firing based on their subjective impressions OR quantitative ones, it actively hurts your chances.

There are big cognitive distortions at play here at each progressive leap: Randomness exists > Randomness is predominant > Nothing I do matters> It is a good idea to give up.

This is how I think when I am clinically depressed. It is self defeating and self fulfilling.

[goatmanbah]

Exactly.