> Are descriptions such as "bitter" not the "plain and simple" truth for this post? I certainly think it reads bitterly.

Erm, no?

You yourself pointed out: “Well, readings are subjective…”

Well I didn't mean "conditions" like having to work in a windowless basement, with a pile phonebooks to sit on instead of a chair.

But rather: being asked to work on products we just can't really believe in, to be silent when upper management (though otherwise supportive and presumably in no way outwardly abusive or mean) would prefer that we keep our blinders on, etc.

It's just code.

His main concern was the quality of the product as a whole -- and the lack of awareness in that environment of what, to him, seemed to be simple and obvious facts. The remarks about the "bad code" almost tangential (like he said, "it didn't bother me much").