Just the title. I’ve been pulling some crazy all-nighters and I’m absolutely exhausted, and I’m remembering a time when I could comfortably say “fuck off” without any mixed feelings. Now I feel some perverse responsibility to kill myself for our project and I kind of hate myself for it.
Although they’re not the same as startups, I’m gonna bring up small businesses. A lot of people who complain about le small business tyrants don’t seem to understand there are benefits and trade offs with both types of exploitation
Big business:
- more scrutiny which often means they want to avoid any conflict as soon as possible
- some are large enough that you falling behind won’t really matter
- possible to start fresh even within the same company
- people are usually more conscience of how companies are against their interest
- but you can become complacent with your exploitation when met with more benefits or more comfortable work conditions
Small business:
- often community based, so people will often look the other way when complaints and exploitation occur
- may actually serve the community without being too alienated from the people or their needs
- likely to exploit undocumented people (ime), though the alternative is much worse
- like a small town, people will remember faces, and controversy is looked down upon, and favors, discretion, and extra work are expected
- people are more hesitant to lump small businesses with every other company that exploits workers and consumers (some warranted, but mostly out of misconceptions about small businesses)
On a related note, never hire your family and friends to do anything lol. If they volunteer, cool, but if you need someone to be liable for damages or alterations, utilize discounts, or ask for additional work without generating drama, go with an outsider.
I prefer larger orgs mainly because I need money, but I’d much rather be closer to my community.
