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Comment by missosoup | Hacker News Reader

In one paragraph you've conveyed my point better than I could across multiple comments. This is the heart of what I was getting at.

This, and the fact that the HN demographic, mostly being techies, seem to be a bit disconnected from what real life looks like to 80%+ of the population of the world. A few instances per year of not coming in to work due to poor sleep or having to order Uber wouldn't just inconvenicence them - it would completely destroy their lives along with their children/families. People are doing what they need to do to survive and look after their loved ones.

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In an earlier life, I worked in the trucking industry. If you refused to drive anytime you were fatigued, you would not be successful in the industry (one reason I am very glad to not be doing that anymore; it's also one of the most dangerous occupations out there, partly for that reason). I think that lots of the people here have never worked a non-privileged job in their lives.

I've seen the results of this first-hand when a big rig about 10 car lengths ahead of me on I-5 abruptly began moving from the right lane through the center median and into the lanes of oncoming traffic.

He slammed into a pickup truck and killed that truck's occupant.

I had to be called in as a witness of the incident by the victim and trucking company's attorneys.

I think there's a strong difference between (rightfully so) blaming the companies that force this environment and the people who are just trying to make a living safely.

That's quite a reach and a bad take.

I've only been in the full-time tech industry for about 3.5 years.

Before then I was working hourly jobs to make ends meet, including working half time or more while studying full-time in college, working during high school, etc. This so I could pay rent and tuition with minimal, if any, aid.

I couldn't even afford a car until after graduating from university.

I was walking or taking public transportation everywhere prior to finally getting a car.

I won't disagree that people in SV can be snobby but let's not jump to conclusions here.

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