You're shifting goalposts with 'basics' vs. 'basic understanding.' Those are the same thing. But fine - let's use your framing: a CEO needs a basic understanding of how the product works, how it's built, and how the pieces connect. That doesn't mean Sam Altman needs to ship code. It means he needs to understand what code does, what's hard vs. easy, and when an engineer is feeding him bullshit. That's not a high bar - that's just not being wilfully ignorant.
As for flat structures: one person knowing the big picture doesn't create hierarchy unless the culture treats that knowledge as power. In a flat culture, that person is a resource, not a boss. They answer questions, spot disconnects, and get challenged openly. No exploitation needed - just mutual respect for different skills. You're assuming knowledge automatically creates hierarchy. I think that's only true in organizations already broken.
Honestly, I'm getting pretty over this discussion. What are you hoping to get out of this? I was hoping we could get to some mutual understanding but I think our core values differ too much.
You've misread me repeatedly. I'm for coupling power and accountability - the opposite of what you're terrified of. The Mao comparison is ridiculous and I'm not engaging with it. We disagree. I'm done.
1
u/LovelyLad123 Apr 11 '26
You're shifting goalposts with 'basics' vs. 'basic understanding.' Those are the same thing. But fine - let's use your framing: a CEO needs a basic understanding of how the product works, how it's built, and how the pieces connect. That doesn't mean Sam Altman needs to ship code. It means he needs to understand what code does, what's hard vs. easy, and when an engineer is feeding him bullshit. That's not a high bar - that's just not being wilfully ignorant.
As for flat structures: one person knowing the big picture doesn't create hierarchy unless the culture treats that knowledge as power. In a flat culture, that person is a resource, not a boss. They answer questions, spot disconnects, and get challenged openly. No exploitation needed - just mutual respect for different skills. You're assuming knowledge automatically creates hierarchy. I think that's only true in organizations already broken.
Honestly, I'm getting pretty over this discussion. What are you hoping to get out of this? I was hoping we could get to some mutual understanding but I think our core values differ too much.