Hoax tweeter revealed as man with boring day job

James1 says:

12:52pm | 07/01/13

“There is little fact-checking and mostly it is just copy-paste someone else’s announcement and maybe source a quote from an opposing group.”

I have actually had this happen.  I recently drafted a media release that we put out at work, and it was immediately picked up by three major Australian news websites, two major broadsheets and a few radio stations.  The websites all directly copied the text of the release, the radio stations quoted liberally from the statistics I presented, and the broadsheets did both, as well as briefly quoting an academic expert.

On interesting jobs, even though I don’t spend much time watching tv or looking at boobs (at work, anyway), I find mine very interesting about 75% of the time.  I always thought this was the norm - that people seek the jobs they find interesting and that pay well, and go after those jobs.  I only recently discovered that most people do jobs they hate.  Now I understand why everyone is so tense and angry all the time.

Colin says:

12:55pm | 07/01/13

@ Tubesteak

“...I didn’t know there were interesting jobs out there….”

Really? Been living under that rock for long? Or - if you have a degree -  is it that you simply did what most people who go on to tertiary education in this country do; wasted it on an ‘Arts’ degree..?

There are PLENTY of ‘interesting’ jobs out there - for those that are suitably qualified.

Tubesteak says:

02:41pm | 07/01/13

Colin
I didn’t waste it on an arts degree. I despise such a vapid waste of navel-gazing time. I’m a qualified lawyer and accountant and even though I know people in many diverse fields have never known anyone who found their job interesting and definitely not the all-important mix of interesting and well-paying. Studies have shown that 80% of people dislike their job

Colin says:

03:09pm | 07/01/13

@  Tubesteak

“Studies have shown that 80% of people dislike their job..”

James1 and I must be in the minority then

Don't moan ... do it says:

05:41pm | 07/01/13

Well, Tubesteak, it’s hardly surprising you didn’t know interesting jobs existed out there if you are a lawyer/accountant. Only semi-joking ...

I myself went to university at the age of 32 after realizing I’d rather be dead than work another 35 years at a boring job. I’d worked my way up to “good money”, but middle management makes poking your eyes out with a stick seem a more desirable option.

Getting my bachelor’s and master’s in computer science (full-time external student while still working) was the best thing I’ve ever done, both professionally and personally. I enjoy my job so much now that I still get out of bed excited at what the day will bring - after 3 years on the job. The field I’m in (computer security) is so quickly changing, engaging, and so “high stakes” that sometimes I can’t believe I’m actually getting paid to do it.

Of course, what is interesting for me might be boring to the next person. However, my point is that it is never too late to take the bull by the horns and control just what the hell you are going to do for 40 - 60 years of your life.

Cars says:

04:27pm | 07/01/13

The things is, when you find out your friend is still alive, the feeling of relief will outweigh the devastation, and you may even value your friend more as a consequence. Seems like a net positive hoax to me.