Item — HN Reader

Looking forward to the released creativity though.

Remember: especially when getting laid off in tech - eventually this will commonly be very good for personal growth. Lots of opportunities in the coming downturn as in full tandem with ever-ongoing neoliberal capitalism: software is still eating the world.

Don’t be sad. Take the ticket - and maybe do something that’s more interesting / pressingly needed than… payment processing…

The world is literally on fire, you are smart and hard working why not do something about that instead?

1 comments

> Remember: especially when getting laid off in tech - eventually this will commonly be very good for personal growth. Lots of opportunities in the coming downturn as in full tandem with ever-ongoing neoliberal capitalism: software is still eating the world.

This is true when you don't have a family to support and/or have a second more reliable income, but it is extremely stressful if you don't have a decent cushion and have responsibilities. I mean, you are partially right, but it depends on the situation.

It always does, I agree. Then again most people in that cohort probably have the corresponding level of financial means / literacy [to have a cushion]. Either way just read above that in this case specifically the severance seems generous enough. I’m not worried for the typical stripe worker here. This will be good for them if they don’t get bogged down by shock / sadness.

Even if you have a couple of years saved up, being out of work can put a damper on your plans quickly. It means your spouse's job is especially important for health insurance (in the states), and that is assuming they have a job already. If you were looking to buy a house soon, those plans just got cancelled, and if you just spent a lot of your cushion on a down payment (with the intention of rebuilding your cushion), things could be tight for awhile. This is true even for a FAANG or Stripe employee.

Also, being laid off usually means being in a down economy where not much hiring is going on, so recovery takes longer.

Agreed, I always forget about the Damocles sword that is lack of basic health in the US. I’m now wondering if this is by design…

The other points do still strike me as more qualitative though (for the cohort) but you convinced me with the health coverage. Absolutely nobody should be in danger of falling through the cracks on that side.

So yeah this sucks, it’s not great at all. Still would say: don’t give up folks - you’ll be able to find a job (better even, found a company?) even in a downturn. Again, this is software. The big co-enabler of unhinged capitalism. Here to stay.