I’ve learned that it’s not a good idea (for me, at least), to be saying “you guys are doing it wrong, and here’s what’s wrong with your approach.” That type of thing tends to get lots of clicks and upvotes. Internet rants go viral, hereabouts, on a regular basis.
Instead, I have learned to say “This is my approach, with the results, and here’s links to the proofs, in my own work.”
When I make general statements, I tend to qualify them with “I feel as if…”, or “It is my opinion that…”, or “In my experience…”, etc.
As you have demonstrated, it often results in downvotes (I suppose, because it is perceived as “arrogance”), but I won’t engage in poo-throwing.
The Internet is already bad enough, without my contribution. In The Days of Yore, I was a highly effective troll, and I have some atonement to perform.
Actually, it doesn't. I'm pretty sure HN links are nofollow. I don't care. I don't do it for SEO, and I'm not looking for work.
I have been linking to my work for as long as I've been posting, here, and will continue to do so, for as long as I participate.
You will also note that I am not anonymous. I make it very easy to find out who I am. You could probably easily find my home address and phone number, from what I post.
Helps me to be accountable for what I write. I spent my entire career, being highly accountable. I feel that it helps me to build my character.
I don't care whether or not I'm some kind of "Internet essay star" (Spoiler alert: I'm not). I write what I write, for my own good, and so that anyone that is interested in finding out more about me, can do so.
I've been at this stuff for a long time. I also spent almost 27 years at one of the most anal corporations on Earth, so my work has a lot of polish. It has nothing to do with trying to be "better than" anyone else. It's just the way I am. I feel it's pretty good.
I've certainly encountered worse. When I do, I take it as a lesson, and don't get too bogged down in nursing a grudge. I also regularly encounter better, and I like to take that as inspiration.
Additionally, 27 years at a Japanese corporation taught me to back up what I say. If I say "I do this," then I'd damn well better be able to prove it; which is a big reason that I keep linking to my work. One advantage of being old in the game, is that I have a lot of track record that I can reference.
I like working with people. I always have. I'm a decent chap. I want to be a contributor to the world. I know that writing positive, contributory stuff is a bit quixotic, but, that's me; tilting at windmills. I won't add to the negativity; even if I can't singlehandedly make things more positive.
I'm retired. I have no interest, whatsoever in ever working for anyone again. I'm not interested in selling a brand. I work for free, for folks that can't afford the kind of talent I have. Whether or not some random, anonymous Internet dude loves me, is of little concern.
Listen, this is the second time (that I know of) that you've insulted me, and I don't remember ever attacking you (or anyone else, here, for that matter) out of the blue.
Would you like to try resetting the relationship? You'll find that I'm actually a kind, generous person, with a very positive outlook on life, and a true desire to Bring Light.
I'm really, really good at some stuff, and really, really bad, at other stuff. I don't hide either.
