Mike Hudack

jlarchive:

The absolute worst, though, has got to be the attacks for any display of self-confidence. You may conceptualize the Unites States as a great nation. But it’s also a big tribe, with its own irrational taboos. One of them is: don’t talk proudly about your achievements.

But going forward, Jakob Lodwick, the person, is withdrawing from the public web. You will see the results of my efforts through Normative and other companies. I just cannot deal with these animals any longer.

You’re right: this taboo does exist.  But I don’t think you’re correct in calling it irrational.  It’s actually quite rational.

People aren’t attacking you for violating this taboo.  It’s not that kind of taboo. This particular taboo actually exists entirely for your own protection.  It’s to prevent others from attacking you for perceived arrogance and braggadocio.  It’s also to reinforce a truism: praise from others is always more powerful than praise for yourself.  It’s more readily accepted, and rarely if ever is it the catalyst for controversy.

Personally I think that you’ve sought out the attention that you now claim to hate.  Regardless, we’re all responsible for our own behavior and for the reaction that our behavior receives.  I would suggest that rather than complain about the behavior of your peers, you should use your break from the public Web for some introspection — some time to determine what it is about your own behavior that has caused others to treat you the way they have.

I mean that, incidentally, in the best possible way.  I don’t mean it as an assault.