Comments on: Jealous Authors Against Obama Unite!

By: Daniel Udsen

Daniel Udsen — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:25:52 +0000

This thing is pretty common in politics some big fat cat wants to put legitimacy to a prodigy or something similar so they trow some weight behind a book deal probably even promising to simply bye up whats not getting sold on the market. It’s not even a big secret.

But for Obama it’s potentially a scandal because his supporters paint this picture of him as the eternal underdog fighting against all of this crap and as such he cannot be a part of the political system the way you have to, to get those deals.

By: Mike Cane

Mike Cane — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:38:49 +0000

Oh please. If anyone wants to carp, just read Elizabeth Wutzel’s self-indulgences.

Now, if this group is on MySpace, I’ll Add it.

By: B. Scott Andersen

B. Scott Andersen — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:45:59 +0000

One of my favorite retorts to anything along this line (“how did THEY get such a sweet deal?!) is simply this: “You can apply for that job.” (Tongue-in-cheek, but only partially…) I’ve used that reply for any number of situations (Company Board position pays $1M per year for 2 days work, Company President craters company, gets $25 golden parachute, etc.)

I’ve worked in a number of software startups and have learned that: not only is life not fair–it seems to be kind of random. Our society is not a meritocracy (though every engineer I know would argue that it SHOULD be!). Pretending it is one is a bad idea.

People who work the system do better than those who do not. To that extent, it is a level playing field. So, rather than spend any time obsessing about those who “undeservedly” got a break, redouble your efforts for making your own breaks. And good luck to you!

– Scott