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Excellent advice, though I must say that

> If you died in a car crash today, the company would find a way to continue.

might not be the most comfortable way to describe a person's importance when they're feeling down. I would instead say "if you quit today suddenly with no warning,".

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It's a common metaphor. There is also a risk measure explicitly based on this concept: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_factor But I guess that there are not that many buses there in US so a car crash may be more appropriate.

Oh, it is technically correct. The issue is that when comforting the depressed, violent or overly negative imagery may distract from the point being made.

The metaphor is perfectly unnoticeable in everyday contexts, but in his state, careless edges of arguments must feel awfully pointy.

I learned that the hard way when trying to support a friend down on his luck.

i wish you godspeed in your quest to control what other people say on the internet.

You're right - with a bit more thought, I would have given a less "terminal" example of sudden unavailability. Will keep that in mind, thanks.

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