Looks like he didn't like the lack of control he had over his job. He seems like the kind of person who would much rather work on their own projects than someone else's.
> "If you don't like it, leave"
>
> I didn't just leave Google.
>
> I quit.
Congrats on the decision, it is hard to make the jump, even when in a state of comfortable dissatisfaction. But the content of the post does nothing to illustrate (to anyone who's not the OP) the difference between "leave" and "quit".
"Ben Schwartz (born September 15, 1981)[2] is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is perhaps best known for portraying a fictional version of himself..."
Oh wait, no? Well, his twitter links to some Magic the Gathering site. Oh, he's a "Product Quality Associate" at Google (thanks LinkedIn!)
I have a feeling this was a particularly cathartic post to write.
That being said, I have no idea who Ben is or what the (I'm sure personal) context is behind this post. Ben, if you're there: I'd love to hear some more details behind your choice (what were you asked to shut your mouth about?) and what your next steps are (entrepreneurship? freelancing?).
Either way, best of luck. Not enough people do what makes them happy.
>If you're smart, hardworking, and willing to relocate you'll be able to continue your life as a wage-slave and never acquire any true influence in this world.
I hope the above does not come across as snotty or arrogant, but rather an accurate framing of Ben's role at Google, because it is far from the default (that I pictured, at least)
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[ 7.7 ms ] story [ 105 ms ] threadCongrats on the decision, it is hard to make the jump, even when in a state of comfortable dissatisfaction. But the content of the post does nothing to illustrate (to anyone who's not the OP) the difference between "leave" and "quit".
Now, will someone fill me in on the details?
Oh wait, no? Well, his twitter links to some Magic the Gathering site. Oh, he's a "Product Quality Associate" at Google (thanks LinkedIn!)
Wait, why do I care?
That being said, I have no idea who Ben is or what the (I'm sure personal) context is behind this post. Ben, if you're there: I'd love to hear some more details behind your choice (what were you asked to shut your mouth about?) and what your next steps are (entrepreneurship? freelancing?).
Either way, best of luck. Not enough people do what makes them happy.
Congrats! Your next move will be the right one.
Agreed.
A bit of digging tells me this is not the case. Ben Swartz appears to be a Product Quality Associate: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/benjamin-swartz/32/988/285
As a former Googler, I'm not 100% sure what the role is, but it appears to carry a $54k salary (http://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Google-Product-Quality-Assoc...) and is essentially what boils down to product support via phone/email/forum (http://www.quora.com/Google/What-is-an-Associate-at-Google).
I hope the above does not come across as snotty or arrogant, but rather an accurate framing of Ben's role at Google, because it is far from the default (that I pictured, at least)
Context is EVERYTHING.