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from the most-positions-do-not-require-guitar-skills dept.
Carina Chocano writes in the NYT that once, a long time ago, a rock star was a free-spirited, convention-flouting artist/rebel/hero/Dionysian fertility god who fronted a world-famous band, sold millions of records and headlined stadium concerts where people were trampled in frenzies of cultlike fervor.
Now 'rock star'' has made a complete about-face and in its new incarnation, it is more likely to refer to a programmer, salesperson, social-media strategist, business-to-business telemarketer, recruiter, management consultant or celebrity pastry chef than to a person in a band. The term has become shorthand for a virtuosity so exalted it borders on genius — only for some repetitive, detail-oriented task.
According to Chocano, posting a listing for a job for which only ''rock stars'' need apply casts an H.R. manager as a kind of corporate Svengali; "That nobody is looking for a front-end developer who is addicted to heroin or who bites the heads off doves in conference rooms goes without saying. Pretty much anyone can be a ''rock star'' these days — except actual rock stars, who are encouraged to think of themselves as brands."
(Score: 5, Insightful) by ikanreed on Wednesday August 19 2015, @07:41PM
(Without the pay or benefits that would actually encourage them to be interested)
I know! Let's stoke egos in our job listing, but when we actually hire them, put them on menial maintenance of an internal inventory application! And don't forget the rockstars don't feel the need to have offices or even cubicles, just shove them any old place.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Wednesday August 19 2015, @11:07PM
Ugh, I cringe anytime I hear bullshit like "Rockstar Programmer" or "Six-Sigma Black-belt." These titles are getting fucking ridiculous.
What the industry really needs are more honest titles, like:
- Sadistic Sociopath
- Grunting stinky dick-kneader
- Difficult Aspie
- Diversity Hire
The article by Carina Chocano is actually half-decent considering that she's a SJW. The article touches upon what being a modern "rockstar" is like, being mostly a brand or business rather than a shredding musician -- and when they start playing Alice in Chains on classic-rock stations and in auto insurance commercials, I'm gonna be some bummed-out son of a bitch.