Simple questions have become terrifying. Is this important? What should we fix first? Who gives a shit about this?
Instead of answering, we build elaborate systems to answer for us. Frameworks. Methodologies. Scoring systems. Decision trees that branch into more decision trees.
Read full post “Decision laundering”
The meeting sucks, but we call it “productive.” Shitty ideas are framed as “interesting.” Dead projects have “challenges”, and that deadline is impossible, but you’ll “do your best.”
Read full post “Professional courtesy”
Real work happens in the details outsiders won’t see. Tradeoffs between perfect and possible. Hundreds of choices that compound into something that actually works.
But having to explain those choices to people who weren’t there feels like translating a foreign language. Then, weeks of context get reduced to “why didn’t you just do X?”. Complexity vanishes, the nuance disappears, and suddenly your expertise sounds like an excuse.
Read full post “Lawyers of expertise”
There’s a growing trend of hunting down “problematic” words while systematically silencing thoughts. While someone decides “brown bag lunch” is offensive, the person who questions a stupid roadmap gets labeled “not a culture fit.”
Read full post “Dissidents”
Hero culture is a scam built on a beautiful lie: Caring means suffering. We celebrate people who work impossible hours, and call that ownership, leadership, and dedication.
The system is rigged from the start. You either deliver miracles or you’re making excuses. There’s no room for pointing out that something is broken. Speak up, and you’re labeled difficult. Setting boundaries means you don’t care enough.
Read full post “Optimized for burnout”
Everyone knows better than you. Everyone has something to say about your work. Everything you do gets questioned by people who won’t be held accountable for the outcome.
Read full post “When everyone’s an expert”
We’ve normalized this middle ground where people can appear supportive while playing it safe.
Nowadays, having someone’s back means agreeing with them in private but protecting yourself in public. Saying “I support you”, but building a paper trail of concerns for later. It feels smart and strategic and has become reasonable behavior.
Read full post “Emotional insurance fraud”
They tell you to start by outlining your mission and vision. It makes you look noble, strategic, committed. But nobody tells you how easily that becomes a false sense of accomplishment before anything tangible happens.
Read full post “It rarely starts with a slogan”
Nodding at plans that aren’t yours. Following up on decisions you’ll never make. That’s easy. That’s alignment.
Purpose, on the other hand, shows up uninvited. It leaks into side projects, late-night writing, and fuels the frustration after another well-paid day that left you empty.
Read full post “2 a.m. don’t lie”
Truth is complicated not just in what it reveals but also in how it lands. The exact same words that feel liberating to someone can threaten another’s sense of safety.
Read full post “Resistance”