• drcobaltjedi@programming.dev
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    12
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    4 months ago

    And on a more subjective note, a lot of people aren’t really into the way that Linus behaves on camera. I’m in this camp. I find that he often comes off pretty arrogant and belittling when he’s interacting with his staff on camera.

    I remember on the old site years ago saying that Linus came off as a bit of a douchebag and being downvoted to hell for it. Like, I get having relationships with friends where we’re always bullying each other a bit, but it never seemed to me like he was ever on the recieving end of that.

    • Jesus@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      4 months ago

      Yeah, as someone who has been in people management for a long time, he has a way of interacting with people that makes my HR spidey sense tingle.

      It’s very subtle, but there some ways of collaborating and communicating with his employees that I’ve seen before, and are often associated with people who get shitty reviews from the ICs and peers.

        • Jesus@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          6
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          4 months ago

          After years on the job you have an eagle eye for the subtle hints that slip out. Talking over people, dismissing options that are different than yours, playfully teasing people that don’t reciprocate, etc.

          Maybe it’s nothing, but when I watch his videos I have flashbacks to problematic leaders who often get shit reviews when employees are allowed to submit feedback anonymously.

    • glockenspiel@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      4 months ago

      Yeah, people defend Linus and other faces like MKBHD for one huge reason: Parasocial relationships.

      Just look at all the conversation happening in this thread with people defending the figure of Linus (and others). Influencers, even tech influencers, make money because they can monetize those people.

      And Linus appeals primarily to the folks who like thinking of themselves as the tech person in the family or at the office, but really they are no more technical than slotting a stick of RAM into a case on average.