[gems]

My opinion is that it (exactly what I stated, nothing more) is most likely a manifestation of insecurity, rather than a product of anything that's not superficial (desire to help people, for example). I'm not telling you how to lead your life (a fiat), I'm offering an opinion with a suggestion. I give zero shits if what I said applies to you and you decide to stay on the same course. You should get that straight.

[lawnchair_larry]

I feel like those statements against Google are also most likely a manifestation of insecurity.

A lot of people want to work at Google, and there are always some who have to point out that it's not the ultimate prize, reserved for the best. After all, if it were a universal goal, and you haven't attained it, you must not be the best. The insecure person's solution? You don't work there, because although you could if you wanted to, you have reasons why it isn't worth aspiring to.

Although I agree with your statement, being compelled to call it out demonstrates insecurity. To be frank, some days I wonder if my own insecurity is the reason I tell myself that I don't want to work at Google ;) I'd be curious how many detractors could get an offer from Google and reject it.

[jamesaguilar]

It's not that hard to get a job at Google. Rather, it's hard, but there's not much you can do about the difficulty -- the company's low tolerance for false positives leads to a high rate of false negatives.

I am under no illusion that we are the best of the best. We're probably better than average, but only a handful of us are gods (I'm not one of them) and plenty of engineers elsewhere are just as good as those guys. The real upside of working here is the low rate of genuine incompetence.

I just react negatively when ever someone calls out someone else's dream as unworthy. That is true whether the dream is to work at big G or start web startup #102341. IMO, they can both be fulfilling pursuits.

[gems]

It's true. I could just be bitter about not having a spot. But actually, I don't work in tech and I probably won't anytime in the future unless I'm forced. You can't verify that any of this is true, and that's fine.

[jamesaguilar]

I guess I just don't know why you made the comment. Neither the OP, nor probably anyone else, has as their sole concern in life "work at Google/other large company." So I made what I thought was a reasonable leap that you were actually disparaging a hypothetical person's current main goal.

[gems]

I made the comment because I don't think we should be reaching this level of discussion. We should be discussing something like how we're going to help people, rather than giving each other steps on getting employed. I have a tendency in believing there are better and worse motives. Content like this also shifts the attention away from what is actually important.

It's an opinion, you can ignore it.

[mc-lovin]

>We should be discussing something like how we're going to help people If helping people is a good motive, why isn't helping yourself?

While people must strike a balance between doing what benefits themselves, and what benefits others, that is basically a personal decision. People who work at Google and other tech companies pay taxes, and benefit society in many ways through the positive externalities. It's not for you to say that this isn't enough of a contribution to society.

>It's an opinion, you can ignore it.

If you state it on HN, you can deal with people disagreeing with it, without getting annoyed.

[gems]

>If helping people is a good motive, why isn't helping yourself?

It's a matter of what you think is right. Do you want to have a philosophical discussion?

>If you state it on HN, you can deal with people disagreeing with it, without getting annoyed.

I'm getting annoyed because the first responder was almost offended that I expressed a belief on what I think is right. I don't care if we disagree, but don't pretend like I'm encroaching your rights because I'm asserting myself.

[mc-lovin]

>It's a matter of what you think is right. Do you want to have a philosophical discussion?

Certainly, you started a philosophical discussion with your top post, so wouldn't you want to have this discussion?

>I'm getting annoyed because the first responder was almost offended that I expressed a belief on what I think is right. I don't care if we disagree, but don't pretend like I'm encroaching your rights because I'm asserting myself.

Ok, I see your point, but this is a complex issue in itself, let's drop it.

[jamesaguilar]

I'm not offended. I just think you're wrong. You stated your opinion. I satirically parroted it -- i.e. I indicated my disagreement.

[mosqutip]

This sounds like the same line of reasoning as "why do we fund NASA when we could be curing cancer". It's extremely flawed logic.

Let people accomplish what goals they want, it's not up to you.

[gems]

What I'm saying is that you shouldn't focus on getting a job for its own sake. I'm questioning motives, not really the direction you should take your life. The former is more about staying goal oriented, the latter is more about value judgement.