Ol' Si feels like Janus some days. The image of a god that looks forward and backwards at the same time. You need to be able to do that to survive in The Valley. What has happened? What will it lead to? Always good to think like that. The rear view may not have the answers, but does have a lot of clues that can loosely be interpreted as a guide.
Troubleshooting RF electronics is easier with a lot of rear view mirror time. But, even with a 50+ years of experience, 'troubleshooting' human beings or predicting their behavior is still a low probability affairs.
I was stuck in the airport during a long weather related delay. Nursing a beer, I struck up a conversation with a seeming shy women at the barstool next to me. As we discussed what we did, I found out she was in sales. Over the course of a couple of drinks, she described her world and what it took to be successful. And, apparently, she was very successful.
The key to be a successful salesperson, she said, was the 'will to win'. But, strangely, not her will, the other persons. Huh? Aren't salesmen hyper competitive? 'Killer instinct' as the usually short, loud, and whiny sales managers I have worked with would say.
After a few minutes, she explained why most in sales fail. "Everyone has to win, has to be right. Most salesmen are ex- jocks, ex- beauty queens, ex- something. Always need to be stroked and be told they are the best, right, or whatever. The customer typically also has a big ego, and enjoys the thrill of winning. Key difference is that the customer has the money. So, the customer has to 'win'. Your job is to determine if letting them win is worth your time and effort". In other words, you must control your ego, the demand to win. You need to win a war, not fight every battle to the death.
In her words, control your need to win, focus only on important things that help reach a goal. Easy to say, tough to do.
I am lucky to know a few people who have survived huge setbacks, both personal and professional. Many are still forging ahead with a positive attitude. Yet, many more have been smacked by one life event have changed... not for the better. They set unrealistic standards and goals based on someone else's life in a much different time. Their plan isn't working and they are angry.
Going back to the airport and the conversation with the saleswoman. 'Have to be right....big ego'. Sounds like a plausible reason for friends' attitude changes. Many were top scholars, great athletes, talented musicians. Then they weren't. They became bitter and jealousy took over. If you are like Ol' Si, doing OK and adjusting your goals to meet reality, they hate you. You are a loafer or a simple mind.
Some things in life seem to get larger with time. Waistlines, medical bills, consumption of Scotch. Some get smaller ... like my Holiday Card mailing list. Stay happy, avoid those who aren't. I am.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
The 'New' New Normal
If you ever read the financial section of the newspaper, or watched Lou Dobbs on TV, you know about the 'New Normal'. The phrase, penned by Bill Gross, it refers to low interest rates and limited stock and bond returns predicted for the long term future. But in The Valley, there is a new 'New Normal'. 'Normal' people are not the norm. The guy who is adjusted, sleeps well, has a balanced life, and is in control of his emotions is the 'like, so yesterday' as my niece would say.
In the past years, Ol' Si has seen a marked increase of psychopaths in positions of power. They have little or no people skills. They have fits, tantrums, and probably recall fondly torturing ants in their youth. Exhibit behavior that would have gotten you fired, and possibly locked away two generations ago.
Of course, the hyper-trendy press LOVES them. Movies are made of their lives. Execs debate why that management 'style' worked. Shell shocked former employees try to hide their pain in the BiographyTV interviews.
These sickies do not think as most of us do. Part of it is either a medical condition or the effects of psychedelic drug use. They may be bipolar, have ADD, ADHD, sleep disorders, permanent PMS, maybe all of those afflictions... something. Rather than treat it, the relish it.
What is going on here? Well, today's popular fiction is that social skills get in the way. Yes, being a jerk makes you successful. Three angry ex-wives, a mistress who jumped off a bridge, and 5 kids that refuse to speak to you means you have made it. Goldman Sachs will now make you a Partner. VCs will be begging you to sit on their investment team. After all, it takes psychos to know psychos, and it appears that such people generate a hundred-to-one return on investments at IPO time. You have to wonder if college health centers are being bugged by institutional investors and head hunters, looking for those Computer Science students who stopped getting Ridelin prescriptions filled.
How can abusive people get away with it? I think the shock value of their actions has something to do with it. Starting with Miss Jones, our first grade teacher, we had the controlled, cooperative female personality rammed down our throats. Little League baseball is all smiles, win or lose. Can't emit gasses or burps in the dugout, like we did when I was a kid. Parents can only cheer, lest they be banished to the parking lot. In other words, public school reduced us to social mush. A version of 'Barney'. When someone smashes that norm, we are shocked. What to do? Some hide, some fight back, and some will follow the new leader. Lady Gaga is rich after all.
To be abusive and keep your job, you need to be right all of the time. Many people will lie in ambush, waiting to get you fired if you screw up. However, if you get a string of good decisions, you start becoming bullet proof. "See" the investors will say. "You have to think out of the box! Kill people if needed, as long as we get the IPO out in the upcoming window!" Next thing, a corner office awaits at a Semiconductor company.
Young people are noticing this. Even Dilbert was pitied in a recent cartoon strip. "It must be hard to be a Normal", he was told by a young co-worker with a list of every mental deficiency known to man. You are now a noun, a 'Normal'.
And, like every other micro-trend, 35 startups will jump on this concept immediately. Look for a pile of Indiegogo and Kickstarter funding campaigns for movies on 'How to get rich like Steve Jobs!'.
And, Ol' Si knows a market when he sees one. In my spare time, I am writing a book. "Scream! "The Driver to Success.". Next will be the seminar series, if I can locate Anthony Robbins' evil twin, "Yell and Throw Furniture on Your Way to the Top!" Companion workout sessions available in Blu-Ray soon.
For once, I will jump in with both feet on a risk. Immerse myself in a startup. Work insane hours. Abuse all around me. I can just see that Porsche in the driveway now!
Yes, I know this whole affair is a very bad trend for society. Speaks ill of our evolution. Sad day for humanity. But, I smell money. As a rich producer of Porno movies once said "Hey, I know we are on the road to Armageddon. I'm just trying to get my share!"
Ol' Si isn't worried about the consequences to our society or my soul. Well, at least until the plague of locust appear on the horizon.
In the past years, Ol' Si has seen a marked increase of psychopaths in positions of power. They have little or no people skills. They have fits, tantrums, and probably recall fondly torturing ants in their youth. Exhibit behavior that would have gotten you fired, and possibly locked away two generations ago.
Of course, the hyper-trendy press LOVES them. Movies are made of their lives. Execs debate why that management 'style' worked. Shell shocked former employees try to hide their pain in the BiographyTV interviews.
These sickies do not think as most of us do. Part of it is either a medical condition or the effects of psychedelic drug use. They may be bipolar, have ADD, ADHD, sleep disorders, permanent PMS, maybe all of those afflictions... something. Rather than treat it, the relish it.
What is going on here? Well, today's popular fiction is that social skills get in the way. Yes, being a jerk makes you successful. Three angry ex-wives, a mistress who jumped off a bridge, and 5 kids that refuse to speak to you means you have made it. Goldman Sachs will now make you a Partner. VCs will be begging you to sit on their investment team. After all, it takes psychos to know psychos, and it appears that such people generate a hundred-to-one return on investments at IPO time. You have to wonder if college health centers are being bugged by institutional investors and head hunters, looking for those Computer Science students who stopped getting Ridelin prescriptions filled.
How can abusive people get away with it? I think the shock value of their actions has something to do with it. Starting with Miss Jones, our first grade teacher, we had the controlled, cooperative female personality rammed down our throats. Little League baseball is all smiles, win or lose. Can't emit gasses or burps in the dugout, like we did when I was a kid. Parents can only cheer, lest they be banished to the parking lot. In other words, public school reduced us to social mush. A version of 'Barney'. When someone smashes that norm, we are shocked. What to do? Some hide, some fight back, and some will follow the new leader. Lady Gaga is rich after all.
To be abusive and keep your job, you need to be right all of the time. Many people will lie in ambush, waiting to get you fired if you screw up. However, if you get a string of good decisions, you start becoming bullet proof. "See" the investors will say. "You have to think out of the box! Kill people if needed, as long as we get the IPO out in the upcoming window!" Next thing, a corner office awaits at a Semiconductor company.
Young people are noticing this. Even Dilbert was pitied in a recent cartoon strip. "It must be hard to be a Normal", he was told by a young co-worker with a list of every mental deficiency known to man. You are now a noun, a 'Normal'.
And, like every other micro-trend, 35 startups will jump on this concept immediately. Look for a pile of Indiegogo and Kickstarter funding campaigns for movies on 'How to get rich like Steve Jobs!'.
And, Ol' Si knows a market when he sees one. In my spare time, I am writing a book. "Scream! "The Driver to Success.". Next will be the seminar series, if I can locate Anthony Robbins' evil twin, "Yell and Throw Furniture on Your Way to the Top!" Companion workout sessions available in Blu-Ray soon.
For once, I will jump in with both feet on a risk. Immerse myself in a startup. Work insane hours. Abuse all around me. I can just see that Porsche in the driveway now!
Yes, I know this whole affair is a very bad trend for society. Speaks ill of our evolution. Sad day for humanity. But, I smell money. As a rich producer of Porno movies once said "Hey, I know we are on the road to Armageddon. I'm just trying to get my share!"
Ol' Si isn't worried about the consequences to our society or my soul. Well, at least until the plague of locust appear on the horizon.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Undress for Success
I grew up in your basic lower middle class neighborhood. We didn't have much, but neither did most of my friends. We played baseball, read Mad Magazine, and dreamed about the fast cars we saw every day. We didn't have nice clothes, but it didn't matter. Until early High School. New guys from uptown middle schools showed up with the latest cool styles. Nice golf style wool shirts, real windbreaker jackets like the pro athletes wore. Decent looking slacks. Boat shoes. Si wore what was on sale at the cheap department store before last Christmas or near my birthday. Shoes were my Uncle's discards. Pants a inch too short or long. And, the girls noticed... them not me.
The cool kids had money, their parents had two cars, and they probably took real vacations, somewhere that didn't involve a tent. Rich was cool. It was clear that I was Not Cool. My self esteem was not high, as you could guess. But, I was soon saved by the greatest event in teenage social evolution... the removal of school dress codes. Now every guy looked like a slob, because they could. T-shirt, shorts, old tennis shoes. No one wore fancy anything. Rich didn't matter that much, because you could not show it. The counter-culture won!
Right after I got out of college, we entered the era of Disco. America's version of the bubonic plague that ravaged Europe. Women dressed in dancing clothes all the time, even if they really didn't have the body to. Men wore the abomination of the ages, Polyester suites. Men of my generation look back on Disco in the same way that historians view the use of leeches in medicine. What the hell were we thinking?
Ol' Si tends to put Disco style clothing on the list of things that you don't dwell over, lest you feel depressed and start drinking Gin again. Like going into combat or working at Cypress Semiconductor.
These days, clothing choices are a mixed bag. In The Valley, 'dressed up' is a pair of ironed Khakis from Land's End and a button down shirt of some type. Shoes? Anything/nothing OK. Execs dress up for important customer visits of course; new jeans and a golf shirt (with logo of a famous resort) are the rage. Women who can wear tight jeans do, those who can't wear fashionable skirts.
That is now the way in most of the US. East Coasters are still guys in suits, but that no longer has a good connotation. "Suits" in The Valley speak are clueless MBAs, who parachute in from a bank or consulting firm to reek destruction on your marketing plan or IPO proposal.
This is not to say you won't see suits on local people in The Valley. Walk into any Schwab or Fidelity Investments office. The guy or gal behind the counter wears a Wall Street -worthy suit, crisp white shirt and appropriate red power tie. They are helping someone with the forms needed to deposit those millions of dollars of Google stock options. The slightly confused customer is in shorts, wrinkled shirt and flip-flops. Hasn't shaved in a couple of days, probably just got through a code release all-nighter. The doorman at the Fairmont is very well dressed, helping scruffy locals out of their Tesla Roadsters or Porsche Turbos. Wealthy kids from Menlo Park buy the latest style of torn jeans and beach sandals from well dressed Nordstrom staffers.
Just for grins, I wore a dress shirt and tie to work last week. I had just got a decent haircut the day before, as was feeling a bit dapper. The very attractive lady in accounting smiled at me for the first time. My boss suddenly seemed nervous. The Prez gave me a long, confused look, almost catching his flip-flops on a cable bridge. People were generally uncomfortable around me.
I was the rich kid on the first day of High School! Maybe I will take a vacation... and leave the tent at home this time.
The cool kids had money, their parents had two cars, and they probably took real vacations, somewhere that didn't involve a tent. Rich was cool. It was clear that I was Not Cool. My self esteem was not high, as you could guess. But, I was soon saved by the greatest event in teenage social evolution... the removal of school dress codes. Now every guy looked like a slob, because they could. T-shirt, shorts, old tennis shoes. No one wore fancy anything. Rich didn't matter that much, because you could not show it. The counter-culture won!
Right after I got out of college, we entered the era of Disco. America's version of the bubonic plague that ravaged Europe. Women dressed in dancing clothes all the time, even if they really didn't have the body to. Men wore the abomination of the ages, Polyester suites. Men of my generation look back on Disco in the same way that historians view the use of leeches in medicine. What the hell were we thinking?
Ol' Si tends to put Disco style clothing on the list of things that you don't dwell over, lest you feel depressed and start drinking Gin again. Like going into combat or working at Cypress Semiconductor.
These days, clothing choices are a mixed bag. In The Valley, 'dressed up' is a pair of ironed Khakis from Land's End and a button down shirt of some type. Shoes? Anything/nothing OK. Execs dress up for important customer visits of course; new jeans and a golf shirt (with logo of a famous resort) are the rage. Women who can wear tight jeans do, those who can't wear fashionable skirts.
That is now the way in most of the US. East Coasters are still guys in suits, but that no longer has a good connotation. "Suits" in The Valley speak are clueless MBAs, who parachute in from a bank or consulting firm to reek destruction on your marketing plan or IPO proposal.
This is not to say you won't see suits on local people in The Valley. Walk into any Schwab or Fidelity Investments office. The guy or gal behind the counter wears a Wall Street -worthy suit, crisp white shirt and appropriate red power tie. They are helping someone with the forms needed to deposit those millions of dollars of Google stock options. The slightly confused customer is in shorts, wrinkled shirt and flip-flops. Hasn't shaved in a couple of days, probably just got through a code release all-nighter. The doorman at the Fairmont is very well dressed, helping scruffy locals out of their Tesla Roadsters or Porsche Turbos. Wealthy kids from Menlo Park buy the latest style of torn jeans and beach sandals from well dressed Nordstrom staffers.
Just for grins, I wore a dress shirt and tie to work last week. I had just got a decent haircut the day before, as was feeling a bit dapper. The very attractive lady in accounting smiled at me for the first time. My boss suddenly seemed nervous. The Prez gave me a long, confused look, almost catching his flip-flops on a cable bridge. People were generally uncomfortable around me.
I was the rich kid on the first day of High School! Maybe I will take a vacation... and leave the tent at home this time.
Monday, July 15, 2013
High Masses
You enter The Valley up Highway 101 at 100 miles per hour. For a lot of years, it is no brakes, just hard steering. Some people make big bucks and take it somewhere else. Most leave without making much, and settle back where they started. Lots of stories to tell people about The Valley. Strange place to east coasters; here no one cares what Long Island neighborhood you grew up in and most here think Martha's Vineyard is an organic winery.
But, some settle here and work away for their whole career. The Valley is a nice place to live. Weather is perfect, lots of decent food, beaches close, wineries closer, San Francisco less than an hour away. Only thing missing is good BBQ and reasonably priced mansions. Minor stuff, unless you are from Austin.
Ol' Si is not a young guy. Was once, something happened. Forgot what it was. Entering a new stage of life, different than the last one, and the one before that. Still here in The Valley. Still doing fine. Play Squash less and less, but do a round of golf now and then. Skiing went when when my right knee did.
I do appreciate every day above ground, especially when old friends suddenly aren't. Not sure what to think when I get news. "Remember Bill? Yup, the guy who drew that inside straight at the last poker game. Sudden heart attack, didn't know what hit him" A conversation last week over Pho with a buddy.
In the dark of night, Ol' Si sometimes has thoughts about the end, which will come as it does to all. What have I accomplished? Was I a success, failure, or something in between? Why did I take some of the risks I did? In the past, I would wash those feelings away with a sniffer of Scotch. But, when you lose a few friends to the elements, those dark musing need to be controlled. Need to be put in perspective.
You take risks. Some work, some don't. You get up, dust yourself off, and move on. That is how The Valley was built. Failure is not a bad thing, it is just a waypoint on the path to success.
The rest of the world does not necessarily see things that way. Turning on the nightly news, which I rarely do, we are treated to an endless parade of failures.... political, social, and moral. The newscaster may throw in a feel-good about a found dog, but only to get the viewers to hang on for the coming commercials. Why does the media do that? Because we want that.
We have become a mass of humanity sitting on the couch watching the flat screen and judging. Others failing makes people feel good about themselves. American Idol, Reality TV, most sporting events are more about failure than not. NASCAR is popular at least partially because of the spectacular crashes. Oh, before you plop your butt down, don't forget the beer, wine, or pot. Failure is more fun to watch when you are high.
Risk taking....it was the way of The Valley in the 70s through the 90s. Most people were neck deep in something risky. Could have been good, getting in early at Cisco, or bad, getting in late at Lucent. Failure didn't seem to matter in the long run. It was an experience. That way is making a comeback now. Phone apps, novel little hardware products, social networks, all driven by people who are willing to fail and move on to bigger things.
Much of the rest of the country, indeed in the rest of the world it is quite different. Failure in a business will doom your career and finances in Germany. Taxes and employment laws will kill any success in France, so why try. Raising money will be impossible in most of the world. But, in The Valley, people will hold the dice for you. All you have to do is work insane hours, think impossible thoughts, and try. The only failure is being the one on the couch, watching.
Ol' Si didn't get the house in Atherton or the NextJet shares, but did OK. Dark thoughts be gone! I am still above ground. Moving and doing - not sitting on the couch. Scotch doesn't drown life, nowadays it just brings it into focus.
But, some settle here and work away for their whole career. The Valley is a nice place to live. Weather is perfect, lots of decent food, beaches close, wineries closer, San Francisco less than an hour away. Only thing missing is good BBQ and reasonably priced mansions. Minor stuff, unless you are from Austin.
Ol' Si is not a young guy. Was once, something happened. Forgot what it was. Entering a new stage of life, different than the last one, and the one before that. Still here in The Valley. Still doing fine. Play Squash less and less, but do a round of golf now and then. Skiing went when when my right knee did.
I do appreciate every day above ground, especially when old friends suddenly aren't. Not sure what to think when I get news. "Remember Bill? Yup, the guy who drew that inside straight at the last poker game. Sudden heart attack, didn't know what hit him" A conversation last week over Pho with a buddy.
In the dark of night, Ol' Si sometimes has thoughts about the end, which will come as it does to all. What have I accomplished? Was I a success, failure, or something in between? Why did I take some of the risks I did? In the past, I would wash those feelings away with a sniffer of Scotch. But, when you lose a few friends to the elements, those dark musing need to be controlled. Need to be put in perspective.
You take risks. Some work, some don't. You get up, dust yourself off, and move on. That is how The Valley was built. Failure is not a bad thing, it is just a waypoint on the path to success.
The rest of the world does not necessarily see things that way. Turning on the nightly news, which I rarely do, we are treated to an endless parade of failures.... political, social, and moral. The newscaster may throw in a feel-good about a found dog, but only to get the viewers to hang on for the coming commercials. Why does the media do that? Because we want that.
We have become a mass of humanity sitting on the couch watching the flat screen and judging. Others failing makes people feel good about themselves. American Idol, Reality TV, most sporting events are more about failure than not. NASCAR is popular at least partially because of the spectacular crashes. Oh, before you plop your butt down, don't forget the beer, wine, or pot. Failure is more fun to watch when you are high.
Risk taking....it was the way of The Valley in the 70s through the 90s. Most people were neck deep in something risky. Could have been good, getting in early at Cisco, or bad, getting in late at Lucent. Failure didn't seem to matter in the long run. It was an experience. That way is making a comeback now. Phone apps, novel little hardware products, social networks, all driven by people who are willing to fail and move on to bigger things.
Much of the rest of the country, indeed in the rest of the world it is quite different. Failure in a business will doom your career and finances in Germany. Taxes and employment laws will kill any success in France, so why try. Raising money will be impossible in most of the world. But, in The Valley, people will hold the dice for you. All you have to do is work insane hours, think impossible thoughts, and try. The only failure is being the one on the couch, watching.
Ol' Si didn't get the house in Atherton or the NextJet shares, but did OK. Dark thoughts be gone! I am still above ground. Moving and doing - not sitting on the couch. Scotch doesn't drown life, nowadays it just brings it into focus.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Civil Disturbance
Ol' Si has seen much change in the world, the country, and our culture. The Valley has had a lot to do with the changes in the culture. Beyond just the effects of technology - chips, software, the Internet, smartphones. The entire 'start up culture' is the way many professionals in the US, and most in The Valley work. Given the decline in traditional 8-5 industrial and business professions, there has to be long term consequences.
Back in the day, my dad had a Union job. Did his 8 hours, came home to a nice meal. House was generally clean, food was hot, laundry was done. Mom worked part time as a receptionist - few women with families had full time gigs. Money was tight. We wore old clothes, had a used car, and just got by each month. But, my parents did have free time. Many to most of the parents had some outside interest that helped hold the community together. Maybe your mom was an aid at the Hospital, volunteering a few hours a week. Your dad may have been a sports coach, a church Elder, or ran the Kiwanis pancake breakfast charity event for the Boy's Club. Everyone did something.
Actually wasn't that hard, as the evenings and weekends were free... few people put in the 12 hour days we consider normal in The Valley. Fast forward to today. Who does that work in the community?
Looking around The Valley, the volunteers at museums, hospitals, and such are all either college students who couldn't find paying jobs or retired people. Not bad or good, just different. The moms and dads don't have much spare time, as they work, come home, and work some more. The internet has connected the world, but has also disconnected many from their communities. Ol' Si helps when he can, but it is difficult when I am working. Not much gas in the tank after a 12 hour session with QA chasing down Priority 1 bugs in a product.
I did enjoy coaching my nephew's baseball team a few years ago. I say coaching, but I really did everything but. Shagged balls in the outfield, groomed the field before the game, made sure the kids were not having lightsaber fights with the aluminum bats. I was between jobs one of the seasons and helped out. Tough part was holding together a coaching staff. We had 6 dads/relatives as coaches, but at any given time 4 were at a work crisis or in China. There were times when we had to help BOTH teams, as the other kids were there with no coaches. I knew that the dads would go to extreme lengths to be with their kids if there was any chance. One dad would do a red-eye from New York each Friday so he could help drag the field for the Saturday game. You knew you were in The Valley when an unemployed programmer was a dirty mess from putting a chalk line on the field before a Little League game. But, not as dirty as his helper, a dad who just made $50M from an IPO.
Looking at the younger guys, I see workers who put in long hours, longer than Ol' Si did at his peak. I wonder if they can sustain it, and what the result on our society will be if they have children. Career or kids; tough to do a good job at both given their pace. Evidence from Europe shows that these workers will simply not have children. Euros make the decision because of taxes, we make it because of time.
The special genes that made The Valley what it is will not matter if they die with the owner.
Back in the day, my dad had a Union job. Did his 8 hours, came home to a nice meal. House was generally clean, food was hot, laundry was done. Mom worked part time as a receptionist - few women with families had full time gigs. Money was tight. We wore old clothes, had a used car, and just got by each month. But, my parents did have free time. Many to most of the parents had some outside interest that helped hold the community together. Maybe your mom was an aid at the Hospital, volunteering a few hours a week. Your dad may have been a sports coach, a church Elder, or ran the Kiwanis pancake breakfast charity event for the Boy's Club. Everyone did something.
Actually wasn't that hard, as the evenings and weekends were free... few people put in the 12 hour days we consider normal in The Valley. Fast forward to today. Who does that work in the community?
Looking around The Valley, the volunteers at museums, hospitals, and such are all either college students who couldn't find paying jobs or retired people. Not bad or good, just different. The moms and dads don't have much spare time, as they work, come home, and work some more. The internet has connected the world, but has also disconnected many from their communities. Ol' Si helps when he can, but it is difficult when I am working. Not much gas in the tank after a 12 hour session with QA chasing down Priority 1 bugs in a product.
I did enjoy coaching my nephew's baseball team a few years ago. I say coaching, but I really did everything but. Shagged balls in the outfield, groomed the field before the game, made sure the kids were not having lightsaber fights with the aluminum bats. I was between jobs one of the seasons and helped out. Tough part was holding together a coaching staff. We had 6 dads/relatives as coaches, but at any given time 4 were at a work crisis or in China. There were times when we had to help BOTH teams, as the other kids were there with no coaches. I knew that the dads would go to extreme lengths to be with their kids if there was any chance. One dad would do a red-eye from New York each Friday so he could help drag the field for the Saturday game. You knew you were in The Valley when an unemployed programmer was a dirty mess from putting a chalk line on the field before a Little League game. But, not as dirty as his helper, a dad who just made $50M from an IPO.
Looking at the younger guys, I see workers who put in long hours, longer than Ol' Si did at his peak. I wonder if they can sustain it, and what the result on our society will be if they have children. Career or kids; tough to do a good job at both given their pace. Evidence from Europe shows that these workers will simply not have children. Euros make the decision because of taxes, we make it because of time.
The special genes that made The Valley what it is will not matter if they die with the owner.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Who's Zooming Who?
Ol' Si doesn't do politics. I consider it the result of too much time in College and not enough time making a living. It tends to create polarizing leaders of dubious moral character. But, the American people need something to believe in. 'Themselves' is apparently not an option. God left the building a generation ago. Need to fill the void. So, we have the NFL, American Idol, and politics. Take your pick!
A young friend asked what my take is on all the NSA/spying mess? I doubt that we can blame the 49ers or JLo for the Prism program. Guess I will have to touch on politics here.
Scott McNealy, the founder of Sun Microsystems, said it best. 'Privacy is gone, get over it', or words to that effect. And, he is right. Oh, that means trust is out the window also. We see what a 16 year old Russian kid can do to your expensive Windows based commerce server -- borrow a few million credit card numbers. Hollywood doesn't trust The Valley and our invincible technology since that Danish teen broke the 'unbreakable' DVD code, and unleashed pirated copies of Star Wars movies all over China.
Trust is gone, privacy is gone. The US government can read all your emails, listen to all of your phone calls, and, via millions of cameras, watch virtually your every move. Driving to Iowa? Cameras along the way are recording your license plate...
Does this bother Ol' Si? Yes, but not for the reasons it bothers younger people. I grew up in a generation where the young people lost faith in the governments and large institutions around the world. At the time, it was based on war, oil politics, and race. A generation of my peers dreamed they would change the world. But, instead, they became lazy and settled back into the same jobs that they reviled in their youth...corporate and government. What is easier and better than a job at the government. Yep, climb the ladder, get the power. Bennies and 40 hour weeks. Hard work not needed. Easy to prep for in college, no Calculus or Thermodynamics classes, just 'study' Comparative Poetry with a Prof who likes to look down girls' dresses. Smoke a joint with him and get an "A".
Apple and Microsoft suddenly took off. Steve Jobs was on the cover of Time magazine, the ultimate statement (back then) that tech mattered! All these guys and gals were making billions in Apricot orchards south of San Francisco. They didn't mind 80 hour weeks, and were actually changing the world. And, the power they had! Suddenly, that job with Uncle Sam wasn't so hot. They were heros, and you... just another bureaucrat. Need to get some of that lightening in a bottle to enhance MY power. Don't want to have to learn to code, however. Would cut into time better used for cocktail party schmozing. But some in Washington were watching closely. Ol' Si saw first hand what the intelligence community thought when they saw what teenagers can do with a $600 Apple II. They flipped out.
So, through the magic of DARPA funding, the two forces merged and we have the NSA. Provides a valuable service, I believe. The ability to project power in a the cold war was one thing, in an age of random loonies blowing up things, quite another. How better for the government to find out what the bad guys are going to doing before they do it? The Valley could turn out technology to deal with ALL communications on the planet. Just throw lots of money at them.
I have attacked my generation for being lazy and overly concerned with power politics, yet have justified use of unlimited power -- the power to grab all data short of brain waves. Didn't I pay attention in the general ed class on Logic? And, what does this have to do with The Valley now?
We have created a monster with Valley technology. But it is OUR monster, at least now. The EU will scream, the Russians will scream. Of course, they will scramble back underneath their rocks if/when NSA ever released data on the vast amount of industrial espionage being done by our 'friends' in Japan, France, Germany, and other places.
To those who are shocked at the need for spying, I would ask the value of a human life if/when interceptions prevent a terrorist incident. Lots of innocents in NY city can tell you. To those shocked at the amount and potential abuse of spying, I would ask them to look in the mirror. Tell yourself that you made the right choices of political leaders for the right reasons. Race, nice looking family, cool ranch, ability to play the Sax are NOT valid reasons.
It bothers me is that we have the power to destroyed privacy. We do and we cannot go back. But, it bothers me even more that we cannot elect leaders that have the wisdom to use that power wisely for it's intended purpose. We are too lazy to think through all of the issues and demand answers from our political candidates. And, that assumes we even KNOW who the people in elected office are. Ask any urban voter "who is the top point guard in the NBA?" Now ask them to name their elected official in the House of Representatives. There is the real problem. We are back to the lazy thing...
Ol' Si? I have accepted that there is no privacy. My strategy for getting around the NSA is to have such a boring life, that monitoring it would put any spook to sleep within 5 minutes.
So far, my strategy seems to be working. The IRS hasn't called in years.
A young friend asked what my take is on all the NSA/spying mess? I doubt that we can blame the 49ers or JLo for the Prism program. Guess I will have to touch on politics here.
Scott McNealy, the founder of Sun Microsystems, said it best. 'Privacy is gone, get over it', or words to that effect. And, he is right. Oh, that means trust is out the window also. We see what a 16 year old Russian kid can do to your expensive Windows based commerce server -- borrow a few million credit card numbers. Hollywood doesn't trust The Valley and our invincible technology since that Danish teen broke the 'unbreakable' DVD code, and unleashed pirated copies of Star Wars movies all over China.
Trust is gone, privacy is gone. The US government can read all your emails, listen to all of your phone calls, and, via millions of cameras, watch virtually your every move. Driving to Iowa? Cameras along the way are recording your license plate...
Does this bother Ol' Si? Yes, but not for the reasons it bothers younger people. I grew up in a generation where the young people lost faith in the governments and large institutions around the world. At the time, it was based on war, oil politics, and race. A generation of my peers dreamed they would change the world. But, instead, they became lazy and settled back into the same jobs that they reviled in their youth...corporate and government. What is easier and better than a job at the government. Yep, climb the ladder, get the power. Bennies and 40 hour weeks. Hard work not needed. Easy to prep for in college, no Calculus or Thermodynamics classes, just 'study' Comparative Poetry with a Prof who likes to look down girls' dresses. Smoke a joint with him and get an "A".
Apple and Microsoft suddenly took off. Steve Jobs was on the cover of Time magazine, the ultimate statement (back then) that tech mattered! All these guys and gals were making billions in Apricot orchards south of San Francisco. They didn't mind 80 hour weeks, and were actually changing the world. And, the power they had! Suddenly, that job with Uncle Sam wasn't so hot. They were heros, and you... just another bureaucrat. Need to get some of that lightening in a bottle to enhance MY power. Don't want to have to learn to code, however. Would cut into time better used for cocktail party schmozing. But some in Washington were watching closely. Ol' Si saw first hand what the intelligence community thought when they saw what teenagers can do with a $600 Apple II. They flipped out.
So, through the magic of DARPA funding, the two forces merged and we have the NSA. Provides a valuable service, I believe. The ability to project power in a the cold war was one thing, in an age of random loonies blowing up things, quite another. How better for the government to find out what the bad guys are going to doing before they do it? The Valley could turn out technology to deal with ALL communications on the planet. Just throw lots of money at them.
I have attacked my generation for being lazy and overly concerned with power politics, yet have justified use of unlimited power -- the power to grab all data short of brain waves. Didn't I pay attention in the general ed class on Logic? And, what does this have to do with The Valley now?
We have created a monster with Valley technology. But it is OUR monster, at least now. The EU will scream, the Russians will scream. Of course, they will scramble back underneath their rocks if/when NSA ever released data on the vast amount of industrial espionage being done by our 'friends' in Japan, France, Germany, and other places.
To those who are shocked at the need for spying, I would ask the value of a human life if/when interceptions prevent a terrorist incident. Lots of innocents in NY city can tell you. To those shocked at the amount and potential abuse of spying, I would ask them to look in the mirror. Tell yourself that you made the right choices of political leaders for the right reasons. Race, nice looking family, cool ranch, ability to play the Sax are NOT valid reasons.
It bothers me is that we have the power to destroyed privacy. We do and we cannot go back. But, it bothers me even more that we cannot elect leaders that have the wisdom to use that power wisely for it's intended purpose. We are too lazy to think through all of the issues and demand answers from our political candidates. And, that assumes we even KNOW who the people in elected office are. Ask any urban voter "who is the top point guard in the NBA?" Now ask them to name their elected official in the House of Representatives. There is the real problem. We are back to the lazy thing...
Ol' Si? I have accepted that there is no privacy. My strategy for getting around the NSA is to have such a boring life, that monitoring it would put any spook to sleep within 5 minutes.
So far, my strategy seems to be working. The IRS hasn't called in years.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Fortunate Son
As Ol' Si looks in the mirror every morning, I see something new. An extra grey hair, a bit more wrinkles. Ah, here comes the sob story, dear readers are thinking. OK, I have had a few minor life issues, missed a few startup opportunities, notably the chance to have an employee number in the 50s at Cisco. Jumped at a few 'sure things' that gave me stock option paper that adorns the walls of my garage. I wrestle daily with a couple of demons. But, I always get up and move forward. Overall, I am very fortunate in my life and career. And I have an outside expert to back up my humble opinion.
What is bringing all this on? Well, recently, I had lunch again with a young friend, a former intern now a star at a phone app company. We meet regularly now. He is really smart, hip, and clever. Obvious question is why would he bother meeting with Ol' Si? Well, there is a part of him that is very curious, a part that also makes him successful. We talk about stuff, things that normal 30 year olds do not. I am different, and that makes even me interesting to him. Of course, it also helps him deal with old guys, now that he is a rising exec.
He was raised in privilege, beyond what I could image. Top neighborhoods, top colleges. Saw the world before his 18th birthday. He did an internship with my group at a big tech company one summer. His buddies from college tripped around Europe (literally), but he decided to work... the curiosity thing. It was an eye opening experience for both of us. After graduation, he landed in The Valley, and did very well. He passed me in rank and salary fairly quickly.
He said that I was the only manager during his internship who didn't treat him like an idiot; maybe because it was clear to me that he wasn't. I told the VP of Engineering to be nice to this intern, because we both would be working for him one day. The comment was laughed off, but, sure enough, the VP's resume recently landed in the in-basket at my young friend's company. Lasted about 30 seconds before it hit the Windows Trash Can.
Why did he look me up? Last year, he wanted a 60's muscle car. The recent IPO was very good to him, and he deserved a couple of toys. He remembered the pictures in my cube way back then and knew that I was a car guy. Dug up my info on LinkedIn and called me. We spent some time trolling lots, and finally found a nice Chevelle SS396. I knew all the tricks; he avoid a couple of painted over rust buckets and a few more faked SS models. I helped him figure out what was fixable with a tuneup, and what was going to be a money hole. As we checked out cars, we talked. Mostly small talk, mostly about him and his work.
One day, after he bought his muscle car, we had lunch. While wolfing down Sushi, he asked me about my past. Wanted to know about my college. Did I do Spring Break at Cabo like the other West Coast students did? How was spring skiing in Tahoe? I was reluctant to discuss what it took me to get through college, all the 12 hour shifts at the garage needed to pay for tuition and rent. I was on my own financially at 17. Spring break? Spent it laying pipe or painting buildings. I preferred to tell stories about racing at Lions' Drag Strip or backpacking in Big Sur. But, he dug in, so I told him the truth.
Then, he said something remarkable. "You are one of the most successful people I know!" "Huh?" was my response. "As a relative success, not an absolute success." he said, "You have come further than most people I have met. Not much help. I can imagine you are quite proud of yourself". I didn't have an answer, just a empty look.
Lunch was finished, and we both drove away; he in his new Audi R8, me in my old Bimmer. It didn't hit me until the drive home... he was right. At least about the 'relative' part. In this day and age, success is measured against the attainment of others. A dangerous and self-destructive system that we all buy into. Forget all that. The boy at 17... what would he think of the man at 55? Would he be pleased? I think Ol' Si at 17 would be.
Lots of us older guys in The Valley can relate to my story. If you one of those, open a beer and toast yourself, you deserve it... relatively speaking.
What is bringing all this on? Well, recently, I had lunch again with a young friend, a former intern now a star at a phone app company. We meet regularly now. He is really smart, hip, and clever. Obvious question is why would he bother meeting with Ol' Si? Well, there is a part of him that is very curious, a part that also makes him successful. We talk about stuff, things that normal 30 year olds do not. I am different, and that makes even me interesting to him. Of course, it also helps him deal with old guys, now that he is a rising exec.
He was raised in privilege, beyond what I could image. Top neighborhoods, top colleges. Saw the world before his 18th birthday. He did an internship with my group at a big tech company one summer. His buddies from college tripped around Europe (literally), but he decided to work... the curiosity thing. It was an eye opening experience for both of us. After graduation, he landed in The Valley, and did very well. He passed me in rank and salary fairly quickly.
He said that I was the only manager during his internship who didn't treat him like an idiot; maybe because it was clear to me that he wasn't. I told the VP of Engineering to be nice to this intern, because we both would be working for him one day. The comment was laughed off, but, sure enough, the VP's resume recently landed in the in-basket at my young friend's company. Lasted about 30 seconds before it hit the Windows Trash Can.
Why did he look me up? Last year, he wanted a 60's muscle car. The recent IPO was very good to him, and he deserved a couple of toys. He remembered the pictures in my cube way back then and knew that I was a car guy. Dug up my info on LinkedIn and called me. We spent some time trolling lots, and finally found a nice Chevelle SS396. I knew all the tricks; he avoid a couple of painted over rust buckets and a few more faked SS models. I helped him figure out what was fixable with a tuneup, and what was going to be a money hole. As we checked out cars, we talked. Mostly small talk, mostly about him and his work.
One day, after he bought his muscle car, we had lunch. While wolfing down Sushi, he asked me about my past. Wanted to know about my college. Did I do Spring Break at Cabo like the other West Coast students did? How was spring skiing in Tahoe? I was reluctant to discuss what it took me to get through college, all the 12 hour shifts at the garage needed to pay for tuition and rent. I was on my own financially at 17. Spring break? Spent it laying pipe or painting buildings. I preferred to tell stories about racing at Lions' Drag Strip or backpacking in Big Sur. But, he dug in, so I told him the truth.
Then, he said something remarkable. "You are one of the most successful people I know!" "Huh?" was my response. "As a relative success, not an absolute success." he said, "You have come further than most people I have met. Not much help. I can imagine you are quite proud of yourself". I didn't have an answer, just a empty look.
Lunch was finished, and we both drove away; he in his new Audi R8, me in my old Bimmer. It didn't hit me until the drive home... he was right. At least about the 'relative' part. In this day and age, success is measured against the attainment of others. A dangerous and self-destructive system that we all buy into. Forget all that. The boy at 17... what would he think of the man at 55? Would he be pleased? I think Ol' Si at 17 would be.
Lots of us older guys in The Valley can relate to my story. If you one of those, open a beer and toast yourself, you deserve it... relatively speaking.
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