Show Your Work

Good Guys Need to Embrace PR Edition

I recently read the comments section, which is always a huge mistake, except when the nonsense helps refine your perspective.

In this particular comments section, someone ragged on local politicians for their screen time. Up until a few weeks I might have gut agreed with the critique. But I had also recently talked to a colleague who said she was a work horse, not a show horse.

We know better. In math, getting the right answer won’t get you good grades — you have to show how you got there, that you did the work. And everyone’s heard the line, “Pics, or it didn’t happen.” Even in a world of deep fakes, we want hard evidence, a paper trail, photographic proof.

We are a world beyond modesty these days. Bragging is unseemly, but working quietly in the shadows and refusing to draw attention to the hours and sweat and passion you put into making the world a better place? That’s just going to get you replaced.