I currently work for Pillar. I met Ray for the first time fairly recently. He seemed like a smart, passionate developer and it breaks my heart to see him having such a meltdown. I've had my own sleep issues and the last company I worked for seemed to be talking out of both sides of their mouth. I understand what that can feel like. It's a really hard thing to go through. I would also say that when you're barely sleeping at night, you make poor decisions and start to look at the world through a warped lens.
Yes, the company is goofy. The CEO can be a bit of a blowhard, the titles seem kitschy and uninspired, and there's a lot of self-congratulatory aggrandizing that goes on. It's a consulting firm. It's not surprising.
But the people are excellent. Imagine an oasis of nerds (okay, maybe don't) that really care about software quality in the center of a market that needs a lot of help. They're committed to education, community involvement, and each other. It's really pretty great to work here.
That is, as long as you don't get it twisted. On time and under budget still matters. Perceptions still matter. Politics, expectations, and realities are all things that you're going to have to deal with no matter what. Your ability to balance all of these things is part of what makes you effective at your job.
I don't know the particulars of the circumstances that led to his termination. I don't really want to know them. It would be irresponsible to postulate. However, I can say that I'm disappointed with the way that he's chosen to move on. It's good for no one. I see a thoughtful developer burning bridges in public.
That can be cathartic, but at what cost?