DigiSmackd

To be fair, it mostly only sucks if you're not rich enough to afford to make it otherwise. So yeah, it sucks for 95% of us. And I totally agree - it's my least favorite part of travel. I pay for some lounge access now and that sometimes helps a little with the experience. But I can't afford first class so there's nothing enjoyable about being crammed in an airplane for 6+ hours. (Especially since I can almost never sleep there)

Man oh man... Are you me? >. I feel like I’ve built myself a very nice and very comfortable coffin. My house is not extravagant but it’s nice Yup. And you know how I fight this in my head? "Well, a lot of people have it way worse. A lot of people struggle their whole lives and never get the comfort I have daily." And because that's true, it helps me feel a bit better (and perhaps keeps me from drastic change) Or, there's the reality that not all change is GOOD. That the grass isn't always greener and that it's entirely possible to regret giving up "good" if you end up with struggle. Of course, those are all the things I tell myself. And so I'm still waiting for "some day" that I'll finally be content with where I'm at or I'll find that path to something "more". Either way, I feel ya man. And I sincerely hope you find your happiness and that the rest of the story of your life is amazing!

Man, I feel this. But I HAVE had a chance to do some travel. And as much as I may want to see more, I find that the appeal of travelling without a proper companion is less and less appealing. So indeed I sit in my (what was once meant to be just a "starter") house and try to be content knowing that I'm not in the same debt as some people are. It's a challenging to cultivate the types of friendships I'd love to have - and I worry that another decade will go by and nothing will have changed...

> 1) It's always about the people. And most specifically, family. (Everyone's idea of "family" is different and that's OK.) I struggle with this. I'm the only of my siblings that didn't stay within 20 minutes of were we grew up and were our parents lived. And since I lost mom and dad a couple of apart, I really don't find myself going back there. I've got dozens of aunts and uncles in the area. Dozens of cousins. And also a pair of brothers and a few nieces. And while I harbor no real ill will towards any of them, I also don't feel inclined to spend more time with them (aside from my brothers). I always thought that would change. When I first moved out of the state they all lived in, I figured I may regret being so far away and end up moving back to be closer. When I did move back into the state (not for that reason) it was still in a city a couple hours away. And I worried I'd regret that too. But honestly, I still don't really regret it. Sure, a part of me regrets not spending more time with my mother and maybe my father - but the time I did spend generally seemed like enough. Like, anything more just felt forced. So I guess I just don't put as much value in to family. And still, in my mind - when I say that -I append "yet" to it. I still worry that I'll look back with regret. But not quiet enough to change anything at this time. It's like my choice to not have children. I accept that there's a whole different version of my and my life that perhaps is even more awesome and full of a stable wife and kids. But I also know that there's a version of me that may be resentful, that may be struggling way more financially, that may be emotionally unfit for such things. So while I wonder if I may the right choice, I'm not (yet?) convinced I've made the wrong choice. I do agree that the need for a feeling of "connection" is still important - and finding, having, maintaining such connections is a perpetual challenge and worry. I think that's why "family" is the default for most people. Because there's a built-in head start to that kind of thing (in top of all the other potentially amazing and profound things)

It's amazing how many "some day" and "when I get older" and "I've always wanted to (insert fairly achievable goal)" are still in my head. And yet, here I am almost 50. And the longer it takes, the less likely some of those things become - and eventually the less appealing some may become.

I'd take a pretty big pay cut to work from home. The freedom it gives is the biggest thing - my commute is short right now, so that's a small factor. Being able to travel or choose where I want to live without being stuck because of going into the office would be a life changer.

I think having a solid social network is really the key when you start aging. If you live long enough, it's inevitable that some of the loved ones around you will pass. And for some of us, not having kids of our own (or perhaps not being close to them) it's real easy to start feeling a sense of dread and uncertainty. "Who's going to watch me die?" I have an uncle that lost multiple brothers and sisters (including his twin brother)over a couple short years. And also lost his partner. And also his best friend. And also his beloved dog. And his health is a constant pain. And it's almost like a curse that his mind is still mostly bright and operational. He's aware of it all. Honestly, I don't know how he finds a reason to go on. I know that sounds horrible and morbid - but dang. No family lives around him. No family of his own. Had to move out of his lifetime house ( neighbood went bad, couldn't do maintenance, and needed assistance) so also lost a sense of community in the form of neighbors, church, etc. He just wakes up to and goes to doctor appointments and tries to stay busy in this little assisted living space. To just be like that while constantly fighting your own body as it falls apart... ooof. I wonder if I'll have the strength. Anyhow - I get the "golden handcuff" thing too. I don't make a ton of money and my house is super modest (was supposed to be a "starter house") but the idea of trying to start over somewhere else (without any social support) becomes less and less appealing to me. And that's completely at odds with the side of me that wants to get out of my state and wants to live elsewhere ... I wish you the best and good luck!

That's so great you had the chance. And I agree -do it. Take the opportunity. Like OP, my dad was much more of the "don't talk about your feelings" type. A hard worker, a "man's man". Fixing cars, landscaping, watching sports, etc. All fine. Some of that did change a bit after he was first diagnosed with cancer. And I think a lot of the hormone treatment/effects from that changed him a bit too. But while there was never any doubt about if he loved any of his sons - there was also never really any discussion about just LIFE. Regrets, proud moments, memories, dreams, desires, funny moments. As things moved on, the conversation was almost always focused about the now and immediate future - how are you feeling? How can we help? What do we do next? Did we try this or that? What happens if this doesn't work? etc etc. All very necessary conversations and very relevant - but also fairly clinical and pragmatic. I wish I had more personal, meaningful, and emotional conversations with him. I wish we were both "strong" enough to let our guard down and be real and vulnerable.

I know that feeling! My Google Photos will hit me with those "memories" and I'll be like - daang, was that really 12 years ago? Or "Man, I looked a lot younger back then..." or "It's been too long since I've made another memory like that one..."

Thanks for sharing. Yeah, there's this weird part that knows I've done a few things that other's may envy me for (but not quite like you, retiring at 42!) but it never seems enough. The idea of starting a new relationship now is mostly depressing/anxiety inducing with just a hint of optimism and excitement for what "could be". It was a lot different in my younger years - I didn't struggle to find relationships and I didn't really think to much about what the impact may be 20-30 years later... But yeah - there's a whole version (or 2!) of me that only a few looong time friends may know, at this point. Maybe my older brothers know a bit of a version. My parents are dead, so the "childhood" version memory of me is long gone.

No children here, plenty of time. Still feel like OP. Not that I didn't do "stuff". But sometimes it just feels fleeting. And, for me anyway, more and more of it is about wanting a partner to share it all with. I wasn't single for much of it - but I'm not with the same person I was 25 years ago. Or 15 years ago. It's the realization that all you have are those memories. And on one hand, that's awesome. You DO have those memories. They are priceless. And on the other hand, those memories can be lost - in your own mind, and with the person(s) you shared them with. As friends also get older, die, move away, etc - you realize that the version of yourself you (think) know is a stranger to everyone else - because all the things that happened to make you *you* are unknown to the people around you. And sure, you can still make new friends - but there's no making a lifetime of past memories. Best you can do is essentially "start over" or at least "starting now". Which, again, is *fine* - but something you may have to come to terms with as being "good enough". Obviously this is a very personal thing. And I acknowledge that for me it probably centers around family (or lack thereof). I just always thought I'd fill that void with other things. I stayed unattached, unrooted so as to keep myself open to adventure or opportunity. And then 30 years go by and I've just found myself drifting... a little less unattached, a little less unrooted - but still drifting.

> In 1985 I was in the 5th grade and my parents were in the midst of a pretty bitter divorce. Sundays were my visitation day with my father who was a cab driver at the time and he drove one of those old style checker cabs you’d see on the show Taxi. So we would spend the morning taking calls (I’d help him load people’s luggage into the trunk and he’s split the tips with me) then we’d go see a movie in the afternoon before he took me home. This was our ritual. Every Sunday. I read this part in the voice of Gordie Lachance (Richard Dreyfuss). It's perfect. So sorry for your loss. And I agree, it's a great movie

Stand By Me is amazing. Iconinc. Classic. Worth all the praise. And while it's absolutely deep and emotional at times, it didn't strike me as a "tear jerker" either. It leaves me feeling nostalgic. It leaves me while a void I didn't know I had (and an urge to fill that void). It gives me a soft smile and a whole bunch of melancholy. But I don't think I've cried during it.

100% a hair eater. Also, that smell! Not sure if it was the tire material or some internal component, but I remember a very strong, distinct smell to it. Probably something that has long been found unsafe and since banned....

Dang, you actually paid the bill? Amongst my friends and I at the time (all middle school age) we had several Columbia House / BMG offers. And no one paid any of them - we were kids, were they going to put us in jail? They send you a contract you can't legally be held to as a minor. That's on them if they don't do any vetting. And I'm sure no small part of why they went out of business.

Big League Chew Bubble Eez (bubble gum) Ice Cream Jones Cereal Have you driven a Ford lately? Cool-Whip's the one!

That's awesome. And it sounds exactly what an ideal scenario for the medication to work would sound like. It's why it can be such a helpful usage case.

What happens is that your body adjusts as you'd expect. If you've changed nothing about your lifestyle or eating habits and go back to them once you stop taking the medication , then you'll likely end up right back where you were. That's what people mean when they say "you gain it all back". It's not magic. It's not "take this shot a couple times and never worry about what you eat ever again!" If you manage to change nothing related to your underlying issue, then the shot can still work for you - but you'll likely be on it indefinitely. You doctor/medical professional *should* explain that the medication is still only part of the equation. I consider it to be like training wheels. They may be vital to getting you started, but with enough practice/effort you shouldn't need them after a while. However, if you just lean on them the whole time and never try to balance yourself, then you'll still be able to ride - just always with training wheels. Of course, "change your lifestyle" and "change your diet" are the exact kind of things that likely DIDN'T work for people who eventually try this medication. Not because the advice is wrong or bad - but rather they require effort, willpower, intent, information, and other factors to actually implement and stick to. And many, many people lack those things.

This topic is brought up several times here. I'd recommend looking at past posts for some more feedback/input too! Personally, I do have some regrets. For so long I've been holding out because "it's not too late!" and hoping there'd be a time where I felt more certain/decisive about it. Now, creeping up to 50yo, the choice begins to make itself. Who's going to help when I get older? Who do I pass down my memories, experiences , wisdom (lol), and stories to? Where do my photos go, my keepsakes, my ..anything once I'm gone? Sure, there are options for all of those things besides my own children - not there's no real comparable option to your own children. I'm not close to any other family. I suppose in either scenario there's a whole lot that is just out of your control and you can only hope for the best and try to stay positive while moving forward...

Not sure, but I struggle to not negatively judge anything that's a paragraph worth of content and contains "ur" and "fr" and "bc" etc... It made more sense when text was painful (before full keyboards) or when character limits were more of a thing (also texting or earlier Twitter) Now it just makes you seem undereducated.

I switched to almond milk many years ago. Less calories, less carbs, less sugar, more calcium. I'll always recall one time long ago my mother was (jokingly) giving me a hard time at breakfast. I was staying at her place and had brought a quart of almond milk with me. But I was eating whatever cereal she had (something for the grandkids probably - like Lucky Charms or something). Anyway, she's razzin me about how much sugar is in that cereal I was eating. Meanwhile, she's over there with a big glass of milk and some buttered toast. I look at the jug of milk and read the label - There's more sugar in a cup of her milk than there is in my bowl of Lucky Charms with my (non-sweetened, vanila) Almond milk. She didn't believe me at all and I had to stand up and show her the labels. It didn't change anything, but it was eye opening for both of us. There's still spots where proper cow milk is preferrable (cookies, graham crackers, certain baked goods) but I haven't bought it in years

Damn, I'd love a full remote + $30k pay raise...

For a while I straight up didn't want kids. Then I found myself saying "Not now, but maybe later". And now I find myself saying "I don't think I want kids as this age because I look forward to retirement and some hopefully a bit of financial stability. Too many years of living without all the "bad" things that come with raising children. But ...I also find myself thinking about things like "my legacy" - as in what I'm leaving behind. I think about who (if anyone) will remember me when I die. Will I have mattered? How selfish were all my pursuits that I didn't want the inconvenience of a child. Who's going to help take care of me when I'm older? Who will I spend my time with? It often leads me into a dark, existential dread hole. I have to fight to remind myself of all the good I've had and all the potential still ahead of me.

Yeah. Getting old - and all the things that naturally/typically go along with that - isn't some sort of Generational thing. It's always happened, it always will happen. People change (or don't). Sometimes for the better, often not. Health declines. Personalities shift. Needs change. Dynamics change. The world is changing even faster around us. It's not just because of some blanket "this specific generation is terrible" thing.

I'm so golden handcuffed to my current job. I've got none of those certifications. No advanced degree. I've "kept up" with little outside of the things directly required to keep things afloat at my job. I'd love to switch jobs and WFH. I'd take a bit of a pay cut even to do that. But there's just nothing I'm suitable for. So my dreams of moving to somewhere more rural and owning some land are all fantasy. It's such a double-edged sword. I'm largely burnt out and uninspired. I have no passion for the field. But also I'm glad to have a job, glad to have one that lets me live my current lifestyle. I'm glad to *have a job*. But also...it's not what I imagined in my younger years...

Agreed. Like all things, there's cost/reward equation. There's likely a "better" way all of us could be doing a thing differently. But with finite time, resources, interest, money, motivation, and fucks, we're never going to get to them all. And that's honestly fine most of the time. You keep things rolling, you try to keep compliant, and you best practice as much as you can. There may be "better" but there's also "good enough".

Working with Mr. CLI is like trying to communicate with someone who speaks a different language but only by being able to write text notes back and forth to each other. He's not going to understand and you'll spend a lot of time doing even the most trivial things and learning syntax. Mr. GUI is similar, but instead of just text, you can draw (or rather, use the premade) pictures as well. Pictures you both are more likely to understand. So even if you don't really speak the exact same language, the picture of the mouse you drew makes sense to both of you. Now, the thing is - once you start to learn Mr. CLI's language, everything changes. As you become proficient, it's suddenly obvious that passing pictures back and forth is actually less efficient and more restrictive. So yeah, CLI CAN be better, but it requires learning a new language before that happens.

> If you can make money off your talent, fucking have at it. Well yeah. But if "making money" comes at the expense of your remaining personal beliefs, morals, integrity, ethics, etc - then it seems "sellout" is an appropriate term here. The issue is that most of us don't have the luxury of passing up money for all those other virtues.

>They exist on Instagram tiktok and YouTube now. >band that was promoting itself >I wish I remembered their name And there you have it. That's where we're at now it seems. :)

> they assume you are just taking that job because you have no other options, and you’ll leave as soon as something better comes along. You may not like it, but that doesn't stop it from being the reality of the situation for many people. I don't mean it's just HR companies saying this, in this very thread (and plenty others) you'll see people themselves saying they are only applying for a certain job because they are desperate/out of other options. If that weren't the case, why *would* they apply for a job that is clearly a step backwards? Sure, there are scenarios where someone may be at the end of their career and looking to just coast in a position that is less stress or responsibility. But the interviewer should be able to suss that out fairly quick. So yeah..you got let go and haven't found anything for months. Now you're applying for jobs that pay way less and are less work than you're used to - because you just need a job. You need anything. Why *wouldn't* you leave as soon as something better comes along? Heck, even if you weren't in this specific scenario, why wouldn't you leave when something better comes along?? It's shitty - but it's not like it doesn't make sense.

It's a short matter of times before the clouds we're yelling at are replaced with AI... Er... In other words, it'll go beyond "Googling" something and instead you'll be expected to have just "asked AI". If you're looking for an answer, it makes sense. If you're looking for HUMAN opinions or specific insights - then of course there are better options. It's a tale as old as time - people not going to the right venue to get answers. People wanting to make zero additional effort when it's "easier" to just task other people with it.

Sure, I can understand that. But that's still different than what OP seems to be suggesting. OP is still at least *seeing* the bill (he said he was "billed for 8 hours" so OP is involved in payment/billing in some way. If you've got a 3-4 (or whatever) hour minimum, that's fine. You make those terms clear ahead of time. Not uncommon for on-site assistance. I've worked with some that required at least a half-day minimum (4 hours). But again, that's very different than showing up to a 1 hour job and milking it for 4 hours (regardless of your minimum or not). If OP's company legitimately only has 1 hour worth of work for someone who's billing a minimum of 4-8 hours, then yeah, there's a bigger problem on OPs end. But I took OPs complaint to mean that the issue was more than the work the consultant is doing is happening at an unusually slow pace and often still resulted in a task not being completed (the latter of which removes the possibility of OPs company not having more/enough work for the guy to do)

>Some jobs also require certifications and training which can be expensive for contractors who don't know if they'll even need them after the current job is sorted. 2 things: 1- We all understand the theory of "paying more because the guy has the knowledge and experience to do the job right". But I'd argue that padding hours isn't how this should be represented. If you're charging more because of a factor - then charge at a higher rate and note that. Otherwise, it's disingenuous. 2- The same is true for the "certifications and training" piece. If the job requires more - then you explain that, show that on the invoice, and charge appropriately for that. Just padding on 7+ hours to a 1hr task is just lazy and asking for the kind of distrust that OP is expressing. OP is simply asking for transparency, honesty, and competence.

I suspect it's a fairly common feeling for many people. Probably more so if you don't have a super close family (kids, etc) or a career/hobby you love. For me - I often just feel that it's "I'm just not passionate about anything". I still have things, people, and times I enjoy. But nothing I'm truly passionate about. And without passion, life is a whole lot less shiny. Passion can come in many forms - some as big as passionate bout being a good parent, partner, or career goal. Or perhaps it's a hobby that you are really into or sport you play. I'm often baffled and envious of people I know who seem passionate about so many things. Like, this person is more passionate about types of beer or a music album, or movies, or whatever - things that may otherwise not seem significant to one's life - than I am about any single thing in my life these days. Being passionate gives you fuel to learn and grow. Perhaps you spend time researching, learning, or practicing. Perhaps you seek out more opportunities, more experiences, more chances. You look forward to the next time and think fondly of the last. Languishing is another term I've applied to it for myself.

These posts certainly make me appreciate my current role/pay a whole lot more. I've always felt lucky and fortunate, but there's also drawbacks to such a thing. It's a bit like folks who bought their "starter house" before the market went to shit and how are faced with the prospect of that being their "forever" house simply because it doesn't make financial sense for anything else. Sure, they're still lucky to have a house and there's a lot of people who didn't get that opportunity. But that doesn't always make one sleep better at night as decades go by and you realize all the things you thought you'd do/experience/achieve never seem any closer. You're tied to your house (or in this case, your job) because it's just too risky to change. I've wanted to move out of state and to somewhere more rural for a long while (it's where I've always seen myself) and my partner will say "Let's do it! You work in IT, you can get a job anywhere!" And I simply don't know how to explain to her that it isn't so simple. Sure, I *may* be able to get a job - but it also may be just like OP is saying - either no job, or taking something that has a 50% pay cut. So the standard of living that I have now - and the income that makes the idea of relocating in the first place - could very easily just go away. And then you're in a worse spot. I (like so many others) keep hoping for that dream job that doesn't come with a pay cut but allows 100% remote work. (Oh, and doesn't make me dread having to get up every morning). My current job pays fine, I live within my means. It's not constantly stressful, most people I work with aren't shitty. It's a very short commute. There are benefits. And I've been there for over a decade. It's golden handcuffs. And I don't expect much sympathy.

Or that OP isn't aware of how many "one man shops" or other wildly understaffed places there are where the "do it ALL yourself" is either just flat out impossible or just stunningly foolish to attempt. Simply because it's not realistic to expect to be an expert in all things. Spending months learning how to do a task that you'll only ever do one time vs. paying someone else to do it for you in a day is just inefficient. Procuring and securing a whole infrastructure and set of servers vs. paying someone whose reputation depends on them being secure (it's all relative) is way more complex with way more overhead. *Maybe* you save money over time - but "at what cost?" The real answer is "it depends" and the factors vary from company to company (and even the timing). Plus, OP isn't valuing the fact that there's skin to be saved in being able to point your finger elsewhere when something cloud-based goes down. Obviously,. this depends on where you work and your role, but many folks "benefit" from this. Is Gmail goes down, I don't spend the weekend frantically rebuilding a mail server. I keep an eye on status, open a ticket if needed, and keep the appropriate people up to date with info I have. The rest is in Google's hands.

I haven't gone much into automating/customizing - but have you tried Dell SupportAssist for business?

If you've got an older or just unreliable vehicle, it can certainly make a lot of sense. Extra points if you're also not mechanically inclined. Had a car in the household that fit the "unreliable" category in a couple ways - so AAA was used to tow it at least twice. Plus, it ended up having a bad battery - which they came out and tested. (They jumped started it the first instance, but the 2nd they said it tested bad). So they replaced it with a battery they had on them, on the spot (yes, had to pay for battery -was competitively priced). With the deals that can usually be found on membership, I'd say it's worth it to a lot of people.

> going to the DMV, post office, turning on utilities etc True. But of this list, these aren't things you're doing regularly once you're retired. You may do ALL of them once when you first arrive, but hopefully they aren't regular things. I think things like convenience, hours, locations, infrastructure, and general "quality of life" expectations probably make a bigger impact. Of course, there can be larger things too : Clean, available tap water, foods you enjoy regularly, proximity and availability to health care (even free), cost of owning/maintaining a vehicle (varies wildly by country), and maybe even just your hobbies/entertainment. Just take a slice out of your "normal week" as it is currently and imagine yourself at an AirBnB somewhere in the country you aspire to and imagine how different it'd be. Then acknowledge that "change" is hard for most people. Little things add up, and not having a support system in place can magnify it. (No friends, no family, no local hangouts, no established "happy place") I'm intrigued by it, but I understand some people just assume it'd be like "being on vacation full time!" and don't think any further about how that's potentially not a good thing. The thing about travel and vacation is that most people always have a home that acts as a physical, emotional, and mental safe place they know they can go back to.

I think is likely the answer for most folks - maybe not even exclusively grandkids, but just "family".

As time goes on and I see more and more people in my circles dying before they even hit 62.... No way I'm planning on working until I'm 67. Or 65. Frankly, I don't want to work until 60 - but I'll let my fiduciary help decide if that's practical. All my years of "saving for retirement" and dumping funds into the future - man, I'm not so sure anymore. May just YOLO one day and decide being debt free and having a little nest isn't as rewarding as spending and enjoying whatever I can get while I'm still alive.

Well, plenty folks don't even get the chance to do the first 2 things you listed..they just get stuck with the last 1 or 2. Neither is ideal, but I'd rather be rich and have plenty of spare time for a while and eventually lose that vs. always being poor and overworked - and nothing changes.

Never had kids, but being "happy" with that decision comes and goes. Mostly, I think it was the "right" thing to do, but that doesn't mean it is always easy or that I don't think about how things could be different or how they may be in the future. I still wonder if I may have kids yet - but then I dread the idea of still raising a child into my retirement. Made tougher my my friends who did have kids now having those kids be older enough to be moving out on their own. So it's a bit like doing things in reverse... I think about who'll take care of me when I get older. What my "legacy" may be - what sort of impact or good have I given in my time here. I think about having someone to pass along knowledge and life lessons to. I know having children doesn't guarantee any of those things. But not having children mostly assures it. I think of how much my mom and dad would have loved them and how my kids would never get them as grandparents now (both dead). I think of how I've drifted from my remaining family. I see the appeal of someone who's love is largely unconditional. Of having someone who is always there -and how, no matter how insignificant or wasteful the rest of my life may turn out - if I did nothing more than raise a happy, content, kind, decent human I'd consider it a good life.

I hear ya - but I'd probably have to pass. Well, I don't have any sort of long commute right now, so that's a huge factor. If I had a 1+hr commute each way...I may feel different. But I can't help but feel that making half the amount of money I make now (for the same job) isn't something I'd really consider for just about any "perk". Most people simply can't afford to cut their income in half with out severe lifestyle changes to go with it. And most people would likely choose to go into the office rather than shave their lifestyle in half. I'm not sure exactly where I'd draw the line...maybe if I made 25% less? I'd definitely consider that - if for no other reason that remote would allow me the option to move to a lower cost of living area if I chose.

They definitely can suck -and there's no getting back those 2+ hours of every day of your working life lost to just sitting in a car. But, like most of these things, there are things you can do to mitigate the pain... I found a love for audio books and of course podcasts. Sometimes just having someone you can (hands free) chat with on the phone while driving can help pass the time and give you a chance to catch up with them. And, of course, having a comfortable and reliable vehicle that you enjoy driving is a huge plus too. For X2, I'd certainly consider it. Or look at this way: "Would you take a 50% pay cut to go from in-office to remote work?"

Hell yeah.. You and I both just latherin' up that soap all raw and shit!

Respect. I know it'd be a huge negative impact for me if I lost my job right now, so I'm back in the "glad to have a job" mindset vs the "maybe I should look for something better" during the post-Covid boom.

Oh, I 100% agree. I wasn't explaining it like I thought it was a simple, easy thing everyone should do. I was just trying to help answer the question about how/why people *may* should to turn down a job offer like that. I'm with you - if I lost my job tomorrow and had 2 mediocre job offers lined up within a month after - I'd probably take one and continue my search hoping for the best. But that comes at a cost. And certainly companies know this. That's how the cycle works and that's what makes the "market" what it is. Everyone has a bit of a part in it - good or bad. And we (as employees) benefit from those who can hold out and demand more from companies.

I think the idea is that they don't want to be "part of the problem" And that problem is companies offering lowball pay because people are willing to take it. We all want the market to pay us well. And if we *all* refused to work for less, then, in theory, they would (eventually) have to. But if we all take whatever lowball number is tossed out because it's "better than nothing" - then there's no incentive/reason for the companies to ever offer more. The higher paying jobs become more scarce. The market is set as those mediocre numbers. And the folks who took those jobs "just until I find something that pays better" end up stuck there for years or burning out and trying a whole new field. It's not new. It's not exclusive to IT. And it's not going to change any time soon (or ever?)

Is the idea to give staff an idea of what gunshots may sound like in the building? Fascinating times we live in.