Take a photo of a barcode or cover
alanfederman 's review for:
Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble
by Dan Lyons
I was torn between a 1 star and a 5 star review. The 5 stars because I can't remember the last time I read a book that made me so angry. I was initially really excited to read this - like the author I am a 50+ guy who jumped into the much younger world of start-ups. I was curious about his thoughts and experiences, both good and bad. Given his journalism background, I had really high expectations. I was completely let down. This book was really just a polemic about the evils of start-ups and their culture, both in general and a high level of specificity the company he worked at HubSpot.
Is there a culture of ageism, sexism, racism, etc. at some start-ups? Absolutely. And at established companies? Of course! These issues are not start-up issues, but societal issues. Is HubSpot a weird place to work? I really have no idea - based on the author's experience, yes, but unfortunately we only got one side of the story. Is IBM a weird place to work? Perhaps if you're 25 years old - who is to know?
Further, the author trashed the product, but he never said if he ever used it or not. And I'm not sure he realizes that ageism is a two-way street. He is so critical of the younger generation that is leading the company that he refuses to give them credit for building something. He may not like what the product is intended to do, but it doesn't mean it doesn't do it well. I don't like what Marlboro does, but that doesn't it mean it doesn't do it well.
What irked me the most is as a fish out of water at the start-ups I have worked at, I try hard to break the stereotype of the old cranky guy who refuses to adapt - in short, what younger employers fear. What I do is try to learn as much as I can from my much younger co-workers (I've learned tons!) and embrace the energy and spirit of passionate, intelligent people putting their heart and soul into creating great companies. He criticizes the HubSpot team for feeling they are doing something "revolutionary", but why is that wrong? Everyone should feel that about their company!
In short, I've worked for or with about six start-ups, not all were started by white males or even predominately male. I never saw a nerf gun, but did have lots of candy. Some companies flourished, some didn't. All were exciting, intellectually challenging, and amazing places to work. I'm truly sorry the author didn't have the same experiences I've had.
Is there a culture of ageism, sexism, racism, etc. at some start-ups? Absolutely. And at established companies? Of course! These issues are not start-up issues, but societal issues. Is HubSpot a weird place to work? I really have no idea - based on the author's experience, yes, but unfortunately we only got one side of the story. Is IBM a weird place to work? Perhaps if you're 25 years old - who is to know?
Further, the author trashed the product, but he never said if he ever used it or not. And I'm not sure he realizes that ageism is a two-way street. He is so critical of the younger generation that is leading the company that he refuses to give them credit for building something. He may not like what the product is intended to do, but it doesn't mean it doesn't do it well. I don't like what Marlboro does, but that doesn't it mean it doesn't do it well.
What irked me the most is as a fish out of water at the start-ups I have worked at, I try hard to break the stereotype of the old cranky guy who refuses to adapt - in short, what younger employers fear. What I do is try to learn as much as I can from my much younger co-workers (I've learned tons!) and embrace the energy and spirit of passionate, intelligent people putting their heart and soul into creating great companies. He criticizes the HubSpot team for feeling they are doing something "revolutionary", but why is that wrong? Everyone should feel that about their company!
In short, I've worked for or with about six start-ups, not all were started by white males or even predominately male. I never saw a nerf gun, but did have lots of candy. Some companies flourished, some didn't. All were exciting, intellectually challenging, and amazing places to work. I'm truly sorry the author didn't have the same experiences I've had.