I just became the target of one of these entitled people. Yes, I’ve read about and heard about them on various social media platforms like YouTube and Reddit. Well, I just became on the receiving end of it and the experience is, to put it very mildly, most aggravating. I am sure my readers will probably enjoy the story somewhat. Here it goes.
I frequent some of the subreddits on technology, particularly those dedicated to home networks, home labs, home servers, etc. Somebody posted on one of those subs I frequent about VPNs (he should have posted on a sub for business technology.) He wanted to know how he could network all three of his business locations together. He started his post with the words, “Okay, I’ve got some business shiz going on.” Clearly this guy is something of a techbro; lots of cobwebs upstairs and an ample for rent sign in place of a brain. Suffice it to say I took a bit of pity on him. He mentioned he would need a VPN but totally the wrong type and wrong design.
I told him what he would need to do to join the three office locations together. Then he told me that he would need me to design it for him. I told him that this would be a lot of work uncompensated and I am not about to do this for free for a for-profit business. He then gave me that tired old trope about exposure and how this would be valuable experience for me. To which I responded rather dryly, “Son, I have twenty three plus years of experience in systems administration and network design and implementation. I neither need exposure nor experience at this juncture of my life. I will give you recommendation and a document for you to read. Experience and exposure do not provide sustenance or pay the rent.”
Alas that was not enough. I got more badgering from this nincompoop. I’m Jewish by heritage so I’ve been fully indoctrinated to the psychology of the guilt trip and thus it no longer works on me. But credits go to him for trying. He said he could offer me 100.00 via PayPal and that would be his final. In the words of the Generation Z these days: Hard Pass.
It remains to be seen if this little twerp will go back into the walls like the cockroach that he is now that the light has been shined on him or if he decides to, as they say, practice his research skills. Only time shall tell. It seems like everyone is wanting – unashamedly – something for nothing. Granted, I probably should have simply ignored the posting altogether. Lesson learned.