"Give millions of dollars to young entitled assholes, provide no adult supervision, and what happens next is predictable." Dan Lyons, "Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble"
A few years back, Salman Rushdie gave a lecture “where he spoke
out against a new ‘culture of offendedness’” saying that “people increasingly
'define ourselves by hate.'”
Speaking to a sellout crowd on the opening day of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the Midnight's Children author said: "I do think that one of the characteristics of our age is the growth of this culture of offendedness. It has to do with the rise of identity politics, where you're invited to define your identity quite narrowly – you know, Western, Islamic, whatever it might be."
He continued: "Classically, we have defined ourselves by the things we love. By the place which is our home, by our family, by our friends. But in this age we're asked to define ourselves by hate. That what defines you is what pisses you off. And if nothing pisses you off, who are you?"
Which brings me to this darling little “review” of "Disrupted" on the Fortune website. Wow, I never
knew throwing a tantrum could get you published on Fortune (or maybe it was
just a slow day for their editorial team).
Unfortunately, the comments section of that page has been
removed since the last time I visited it, I’m guessing the author bribed Fortune to delete
it as the commenters were not sympathetic to her POV; most of them warned the author that she, too, will one day face age discrimination. Lyons also
calls it out on his blog, saying it “kind of made my point for me.”
I myself am guilty of enjoying reading all the wonderful tales of age discrimination spawning from the brouhaha over this book release, in particular the comments section of his StinkedIn post which confirmed there is indeed something very sick going on in this country. I can't help but wonder if it's just a strange coincidence that the whole thing went down in what I continue to maintain is the shittiest state in America in which to try to forge a career (Stinkassachusetts). Ah, what memories I have of running from one interview to another in this decrepit state where I’d be greeted by a fucking stupid ping-pong table in the receptionist-less reception area (a certain TV personality pointed out that giving your employees a ping-pong table is akin to giving your hamster a wheel -- in other words, you're an idiot if you're impressed by this), and then proceed to be “interviewed” by some twentydumbthing who was completely unprepared and had nothing intelligent to say to me.
Getting back to this "review," I had never heard of this person before, so I decided to
check out just what makes her opinion important enough to warrant an entry on the Fortune website…
So, basically, she’s created just another dumb “gig” sitewhere people can fight for scrap work and the lowest bidder wins. (I love how she made sure to put her picture on the front page, strategically placed to show off to the world how awesomely fabulous she is...yep, America continues to dote over the
narcissistic millennial!)
Gee, hasn’t this already been done already?
The only difference I can think of is that none of these sites had stupid selfies of their creators plastered on their home pages.
I tried a few of these sites years ago and was not impressed. The more recent conversations I've had with others stuck in the new "gig economy" is that things have not improved (you basically get to work for peanuts if you're lucky), which leads me to conclude that they still pretty much stink. But, for some reason, her shit isn’t going to
stink as bad. (Good grief.)
One final result from a Google search and I had learned
enough...
Awwwww, she was offended by a *book* and had her
wittle feewings hurt! Poooooooor fucking baby, WAAAAAAAH!
You know what, kid? Your little tantrum on Fortune offended
me. Every single time I drove 90 minutes each way only to be treated shabbily and then summarily dismissed by some twentydumbthing “hiring
manager,” I took it very personally (I have since sworn to NEVER even speak to a
person under the age of 30 in a professional capacity ever again, as they have
all proven themselves unworthy of my time or attention). You deserve to be
offended by “Disrupted.” I wish more books like this one would appear and
offend you every day for the next ten years. I have no doubt I am offending you now as
well, though it doesn't come close to the level of offensiveness your generation has
dished out on mine and the one that preceded. Now, go ahead and write
up a huge editorial in The Wall Street Journal saying “This blogger offends
me!” Just remember, kid, someday YOU are going to be over the age of 40. Oh,
YES you will! If you think the next generation will treat you any kinder than you treated mine, well, you're even dumber than I thought. And, as I’ve said repeatedly, the best part is it will happen so
fast you won’t know what hit you.
Edit: Oh, she’s voting for Trump. Well, that explains
everything.
