Ask HN: Why do hackers work for suits?

3 pointsfreedaemon14y ago13 comments

Why do engineers and hackers work for non-tech people instead of the other way around? Sure this is changing a little, but why do hackers tolerate working for people who don't know jack about technology?

13 comments

11 comments · 3 top-level

gregbair14y ago· 6 in thread

It's because you'll eventually run into a suit if you go high enough in an established company. A company run by all tech people will not last as long nor be successful as one that at least has some semblance of a corporate structure.

The clue as a geek to find a place where your superiors are if not as technically adept as you are, at least trust you and your opinions and decisions.

freedaemonOP14y ago

But why can't tech people be the top management? Google has never had a suit as CEO. Don't think their VPs are suits either. But it's true for most of the business world.

Let me put this another way: are hackers inherently not suitable for top-management jobs, and there will always be suits managing them?

gregbair14y ago

The difference is, hackers aren't inherently not suitable, but they're not inherently suitable either.

A good CEO can be a good CEO everywhere, but a good hacker isn't necessarily a good CEO anywhere.

gamechangr14y ago

Most the hackers I know are detailed oriented, complexed, focused individuals who love there craft.

As a rule, we see sales/marketing/raising capital, the politics of board meetings/HR as the fastest way to lose your soul.

So I guess we are "not suitable"

nostrademons14y ago

Google? My management chain is engineers all the way up to Larry.

gregbair14y ago

You're telling me there's not one person in Google who's not an engineer/geek? Advertising people? Accountants? The CFO, Patrick Pichette, includes time at a management consulting firm and has an MA in "Philosophy, Politics, and Economics". I'm sure there's some geeks out there that do work for the financial people there.

Sounds like a suit to me. Don't get me wrong, there's lots of great suits out there, but that's my point, there's nothing wrong with working for competent suits.

2 more replies

freedaemonOP14y ago

LOL, I just gave Google as an example and I don't even work for Google ;-)

bhousel14y ago· 2 in thread

I work for money, not people. The less they know about technology, the more they're willing to pay.

freedaemonOP14y ago

So exploit them while you can? Interesting philosophy. I personally would hate working for a dumb boss.

bhousel14y ago

Is there an amount of money that a 'suit' could pay you that you wouldn't hate it?

SandersAK14y ago

hackers, suits... not sure what these mean.

I work with people who have complimentary skills. Yes, some excel at some things more than others, but we're all people focused on a common goal.

Seems myopic to reduce people down to stereotypes.

Lots of founders have been great "hackers" and ok "suits" and also lots of founders who have been ok "hackers" and great "suits."

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

13 comments

11 comments · 3 top-level

gregbair14y ago· 6 in thread

The clue as a geek to find a place where your superiors are if not as technically adept as you are, at least trust you and your opinions and decisions.

freedaemonOP14y ago

But why can't tech people be the top management? Google has never had a suit as CEO. Don't think their VPs are suits either. But it's true for most of the business world.

Let me put this another way: are hackers inherently not suitable for top-management jobs, and there will always be suits managing them?

gregbair14y ago

The difference is, hackers aren't inherently not suitable, but they're not inherently suitable either.

A good CEO can be a good CEO everywhere, but a good hacker isn't necessarily a good CEO anywhere.

gamechangr14y ago

Most the hackers I know are detailed oriented, complexed, focused individuals who love there craft.

As a rule, we see sales/marketing/raising capital, the politics of board meetings/HR as the fastest way to lose your soul.

So I guess we are "not suitable"

nostrademons14y ago

Google? My management chain is engineers all the way up to Larry.

gregbair14y ago

Sounds like a suit to me. Don't get me wrong, there's lots of great suits out there, but that's my point, there's nothing wrong with working for competent suits.

2 more replies

freedaemonOP14y ago

LOL, I just gave Google as an example and I don't even work for Google ;-)

bhousel14y ago· 2 in thread

I work for money, not people. The less they know about technology, the more they're willing to pay.

freedaemonOP14y ago

So exploit them while you can? Interesting philosophy. I personally would hate working for a dumb boss.

bhousel14y ago

Is there an amount of money that a 'suit' could pay you that you wouldn't hate it?

SandersAK14y ago

hackers, suits... not sure what these mean.

I work with people who have complimentary skills. Yes, some excel at some things more than others, but we're all people focused on a common goal.

Seems myopic to reduce people down to stereotypes.

Lots of founders have been great "hackers" and ok "suits" and also lots of founders who have been ok "hackers" and great "suits."

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse