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Daniel Xing's avatar

one of the most thoughtful, genuine, human posts I've ever read.

thank you for this. also, I love your style.

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

Glad you enjoyed! Really leaned into the slice-of-life vignettes that I write (and many seem to like).

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Lee Doyle's avatar

My head and heart hurt.

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

lots going on here, for sure. lots of feels

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Tavian Jean-Pierre's avatar

Probably one of the most raw articles I have read in a while. Great article with a hint of nihilism to keep you on your toes and small glimmers of hope to make you think about your current life choices and where you could potentially be.

I absolutely loved it!

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

That’s what I was aiming for. More to come!

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scott's avatar

Oliver, loved this post. Your take on consultants illustrates one component of the demise of public education. They are continually shelling out consulting fees, but refuse to ask the teachers, parents or anyone else who is actually in the system for real input. Check out the Librarian of Celano substack "the Age of Kayfabe" on pro wrestling, Iran etc. I don't have the background in that history to know how accurate it is, but thought you might enjoy taking a look.

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

I shall! I have a narrow/nerdy academic use of "kayfabe" in the pro wrestling sense but also appreciate the term's value for helping people understand the various high-pressure sales and marketing hustles to which they're exposed (Adam Curtis' "Century of the Self" documentary is very much a "kayfabe breaker" in that wider sense).

It does appear that McKinsey and others are angling for some serious cuts over the next 2-3 years. Hopefully the consultants who are displaced get golden parachutes to ease their falls. AI still can't "lobby" in DC so maybe that field can grow to take in some of the surplus consultants.

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