the official story, straight from the source
i know it’s been quite a while since anything substantial was posted on my blog, but thanks for bearing with me. as i said in my previous post, it’s been a hectic two weeks. i’ve finally finished thinking through a few things so here it is…
on january 28th, 2005, i was terminated from google. either directly or indirectly, my blog was the reason. this came as a great shock to me because two days ago we had looked at my blog and removed all inappropriate content - the comments on financial performance and future products. for my next entries, i was very cognizant of my blogging content, making sure to stay away from these topics. i mean, as much as i like to be open and honest about communicating to users and customers, i’m not insubordinate. if i was told to shut down this blog, i would have.
as scoble says, i should’ve waited a little longer and felt the company out a bit more before i started blogging at length. in retrospect, that is good advice and a lesson learned. i was just too excited. i felt like i was joining a small start-up family; i thought i was going to start new initiatives and improve existing ones; i thought i could jump in the deep end and immerse myself in the revolutionary development environment; i thought i could make connections to real people in the outside world and get first hand feedback; i thought google would love it. i thought wrong.
i’ve actually viewed this as a great learning experience. obviously, i’ve gotten a first-hand chance to learn about the power of blogging. i’ve also learned to be a little more analytical about situations, a lot more cautious and a lot less assuming. however, i’ve also confirmed that i’m willing to take a stand for what i believe in. i’ve confirmed what i’m looking for in a career and i know what i love to do - by the way, it’s not blogging, it’s creating revolutionary solutions 
. some people live a lifetime without getting a chance to learn these things about themselves; i’m grateful i’ve gotten that chance.
people ask me if i’m bitter. funny thing is, despite all this, at the end of the day, i can see where google is coming from - but i don’t agree with their stances and i wish they had executed a little differently. i think blogging is the next big thing on the internet. the web gave people revolutionary access to information; email and instant messaging disrupted the way people communicate with each other; blogging empowers everyone to create new information and connect in a community. it’s the culmination of lots of the progress that has happened on the internet rolled into one huge, powerful, killer app. corporations should embrace this technology just like the ones before it. companies that are confident in their offerings should let employees spread the word. in today’s age of information overload, blogging is quickly emerging as the fastest and most cost-effective method of marketing.
finally, for all those in the evil/not evil argument, realize that google is a public, for-profit company. i do not believe google is either evil or good. companies take what they feel are logical steps in doing business, and business isn’t always fair.
thanks for reading! oh, and if you’re looking for a talented technical project/product/program manager, i guess i’m on the market now. if you have a corporate blogging policy, i promise i’ll follow it. i’ll use proper capitalization in my specs too .
February 11th, 2005 at 9:50 am
Good Luck. Your story - good and bad - is a great example of a powerful new technology making an impact in corporate america.
February 11th, 2005 at 9:58 am
you are the man.
February 11th, 2005 at 10:08 am
did you notice you made the washington post today too?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15511-2005Feb10.html
February 11th, 2005 at 10:09 am
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February 11th, 2005 at 10:46 am
If only elected officials, CEOs, and others could exhibit the same introspection and attendant humility as Jen when they make mistakes, the world would be a smarter and better place. Happy landing, Mark.
February 11th, 2005 at 11:00 am
You also made it all the way across the ocean to ComputerWorld in Denmark. Google
Fyrer BloggerWish you all the best in the future
February 11th, 2005 at 11:00 am
Mark,
Please to see you’re able to take this philosophically.
Good luck on you new andventure!
Alex.
February 11th, 2005 at 11:02 am
You’ve lost your credibility. You might find it hard now to find a similar position in a corporation.
You better find yourself a good PR rep.
Good Luck!
February 11th, 2005 at 11:05 am
Mark, I think all the negative comments in the past blog entries that have been directed at you were unfair. I have the utmost respect for you as a person. I agree with you that under the circumstances, your mistakes in the blog was borderline, and Google could’ve handled it better. You handled it the best that you could’ve and that’s all you can ask for. You just need to move on and accept the cards that you were dealt. I’m sure that you’ll find a better and more rewarding job elsewhere. Good luck!
February 11th, 2005 at 11:13 am
what exactly are revolutionary solutions?
February 11th, 2005 at 11:50 am
good luck with your job search Mark! hope it works out.
February 11th, 2005 at 11:50 am
I believe that this new technology is making it’s way into corporate america and they should know how to understand it. Your not the first to be fired and probably not the last and it’s a shame.
Jason Gorham
CEO
Careermetasearch.com
jobsearchblogs.com
February 11th, 2005 at 12:01 pm
You could argue endlessly whether they were right or wrong in sacking you, but I still don’t think they’d done this had they not felt something ‘bad’ being done against their philosophy on what goes out live on the net or not.
I’m not blaming you here or anything, but their ‘reply’ wasn’t totally unexpected, I must say..
February 11th, 2005 at 12:18 pm
Have you tried Yahoo? or Sun? They are investing very much into the blogging world.
February 11th, 2005 at 12:22 pm
Good luck!
The question I have is whether or not you’ll keep a blog on Google-owned Blogger or move to a different blog company.
February 11th, 2005 at 12:44 pm
You still havent told us the STORY. We know you got shit canned. Why? What did they say?
What were the specifics. CUT OUT THE SHIT AND GET TO IT.
BTW I am looking for a secratery to catch my spelling errers? you interested?
February 11th, 2005 at 12:51 pm
so many people are scared to talk about how they feel so that they can make some huge bonus.Listen scour the internet and start your own business or something, link to amazon associates or something i will click on your links get it.. this is a chance for you to say to hell with being employed and time to start something new.
February 11th, 2005 at 1:01 pm
Ma
February 11th, 2005 at 1:04 pm
“blogging is quickly emerging as the fastest and most cost-effective method of marketing.”
cost-effective? definitely. effective? don’t fool yourself, this is still a microcorner we’re communicating in.
February 11th, 2005 at 1:06 pm
Hi Mark,
I just have to say that I really feel for you and it’s certainly a crappy situation that you found yourself in. I’m sure you feel an immense amount of regret but I hope that this dark cloud will move on and you will find a new challenge. I think Google used you as an example and I think that is unfortunate considering you were doing exactly what Google strives to do - provide information. You may have gone to far but I think you took sincere steps to resolve the issues with your blog and you should have been shown some leniency. In any event I wish you luck in the future and don’t let this deter you from blogging! You are a person first, employee second. Thanks.
February 11th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
Man, i am a software Engineer in El Salvador, Why do you complaint about everything? you had everything man!!, it is true life is not only money, but you should see how the conditions are for a lot of engineers here in Latin America , World Class Engineers earning $400 USD per month, What happened with you man? you need to travel and see how a lot of good engineers live.
A lot of people would wish the opportunity you had.
if you want to discuss about it you can write me to: omaguilar@gmail.com
February 11th, 2005 at 1:10 pm
Now that you are no longer with that soon-to-be-hated-like-MS company, will it be possible to put the original content or you are not allowed to do that either?
February 11th, 2005 at 1:17 pm
Best of luck. I think you may have served as a guinea pig for Google as they iron out the kinks in their blogging policy. Ever thought of going into the whistle-blower business? Just kiddin.
February 11th, 2005 at 1:38 pm
Good luck Mark. You’ll stay on my RSS feed for a while yet, so keep us updated as to what’s going on.
February 11th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
google can claim to be happy, energetic, and innovative in their cute little minimal page design and controlled press releases and PR junk they schill out; but at the end of the day they are just like any big, heartless, greedy, despondent Fortune 500 company. They don’t give a fuck, money is the bottom line. You are just a tool like the rest of them. To believe otherwise is foolish.
February 11th, 2005 at 1:45 pm
Great followup post Mark - I agree with JL that good introspection and humility - corporate chief’s could learn from you on that.
Someone above mentioned Washington Post and other media outlets - looks like you are in quite a few places according to Google News.Keep us posted on what you end up doing and hang in there!
February 11th, 2005 at 2:08 pm
What none of you seem to get is that he wasn’t fired for the content of what he said, he was fired for being a dunce. Google has a clearly stated policy about only hiring the brightest minds and this guys is obviously in violation of that.
He’s given the opportunity of a lifetime to work in one of the coolest companies on the planet and here he is bitching and whining about the salary and benefits on a public forum. If you don’t like the pay, don’t take the job.
What topped it for me was the comment trying to pull some cynical meaning about the free lunch and shuttle service being more for the company’s benefit than for his. It’s lunch. It’s free. If you don’t like it order pizza.
He’s dissing the party they threw, he’s laming about the snowboarding trip (yeah … snowboarding trip … in his first week), he’s whining about free lunch … I bet it was the staff that wanted him fired more than the bosses.
February 11th, 2005 at 2:26 pm
hang in there mark =)
February 11th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
ah. more ignorance in this thread. I suspect that many of the people who are screaming “free speech” are in high school and have never held a real job. Pure ignorance. Good luck in the real world, kiddies!
February 11th, 2005 at 3:02 pm
you da man ! you had the courage to express yourself and the strength to take the outcomings, Wish you all the best in your job search….
but remember one thing, you are no more just “Mark” but who had made a mark in this blogging world — CNET, Wahsington Post and tones of other sites are talking about you — CONGRATS
February 11th, 2005 at 3:05 pm
Mark, I was fired last month for blogging. My situation was different (isn’t everyone’s?), but I know how it feels. I’m not sure which Google office you’re at, but if you’re at the Seattle area one, I’ll be down there next week, maybe we can hook up and laugh about the past.
February 11th, 2005 at 3:09 pm
At least they let you keep your blogger address…..
February 11th, 2005 at 3:13 pm
The Wisdom of Warren Buffett
What should we learn from Warren Buffett?
1. Be Grateful
2. Be Ethical & Fair
3. Be Trustworthy
4. Invest in Your Cirle of Competence
5. Do What You Love
The Wisdom of Warren Buffett
February 11th, 2005 at 3:19 pm
What a demented lunatic…
February 11th, 2005 at 3:55 pm
Just remember, Mark, don’t be evil.
February 11th, 2005 at 4:20 pm
I have been dicked out of 1 or 2 “dream” positions before as well.By “dream” I mean that 1.)it was a job I wanted forever & 2.)I deserved it After getting shafted & released I was pretty bitter.Fuck,I still am.
I don’t really know what else to say to you except that “I feel for you” & good luck.
I’ll keep reading…
February 11th, 2005 at 5:03 pm
Thanks for the expired business card. Good meeting you!
February 11th, 2005 at 6:14 pm
Man, all I have to say is keep your head up. I think you deserve blog of the day today too. I think all of your supporters should click on your adsense ads everyday. Of course, we’d be giving google more money, but we’d be giving charity money too. Well anyway, you can see your blog of the day post at http://blogofthedayawards.blogspot.com
February 11th, 2005 at 6:22 pm
Wel,
Welcome to the real world. If it even vaguely looks like it might get you in trouble, then it is time to go anonymous. This is very easy to do these days. Sign up for a whole succession of free accounts, using the email from the last one acquired for the next one.
cheers,
halram
February 11th, 2005 at 6:57 pm
I’ve been following your blog for awhile, and even though I feel sorry for you, I think you were too ungrateful.
Of course a company wants to keep you happy so you can be more productive. Of course a company gives free lunch to save the employees time, and benefit from that. Why else would they do that? Did you expect a company to feed you and let you lie around? Google admitted in 60 Minutes that the free lunch makes employees more productive because they usually go back to their desk after eating. So we have it. It is a great thing for both sides, how could you possibly whine about that?
All that “analyzing” makes me feel that you are very ungrateful. No company is perfect, but Google is pretty darn good.
February 11th, 2005 at 7:15 pm
so, when do we get to hear the dirty about what really happened… like tmax mentioned, we want the STORY!!
heh… good luck for the future bro
~nick
February 11th, 2005 at 8:14 pm
of course the most ironic thing of all is that google bought blogger a while back…
February 11th, 2005 at 8:40 pm
I am surprised that Google did this. If some airline fires an employee for blogging that would be understandable. But when a company that has a blogging tool as one of its products fires an employee for blogging that’s a little surprising. Google could have and should have handled this better. Especially given their “do no evil” motto. The contents of the blogs themselves were not all that wrong — most google employees are probably discussing such matters with friends. The difference here was that this was public. That’s the only difference. And by firing someone for that Google is telling us that blogging is dangerous. If so Google should add a warning to that effect on blogspot’s homepage. Blogging is new, and people are still getting used to it and experimenting with it. People make mistakes. The company behind blogspot shouldn’t have fired an employee for one of those mistakes.
I don’t trust Google to do no evil any more.
February 11th, 2005 at 9:41 pm
yeah!!!! i got my name on this blog!
February 11th, 2005 at 9:44 pm
I’m sorry but I’m not buying into this worship you stuff.
If you had any amount of common sense you’d probably realise that blogging negative comments for the world to see about your very famous company is not a wise things to do.
Especially when you have only been there 5 minutes.
How you passed the interview and got the job with common sense like this is beyond belief.
Ironically you really have shown the negligence & stupidity of Google’s HR department. They hired you.
February 11th, 2005 at 10:02 pm
How unfair, now i want to boycott Google.
February 11th, 2005 at 10:18 pm
Sorry but I’m not real sympathetic.
You had a great Job, and you screwed up. There comes a point in blogging when you need to keep things to yourself, you need to think—if someone saw this would this be deemed offensive, or in your case breaking company policy? Hopefully you’ll do a better job of keeping your lips sealed than dooce. Have some dignity man—don’t burn any more bridges than you already have.
February 11th, 2005 at 10:21 pm
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February 11th, 2005 at 10:44 pm
Let’s face it, lock-up expiration is coming up. Insiders who haven’t sold wasn’t about to let this loose lips ruin their chance at selling above $190!!! Ergo, the 400 complaints…hey, it’s worth atleast a cool million smacker.
February 11th, 2005 at 11:08 pm
Mark; after my last post my email box filled up — take it easy guys; I’m not openly recruiting!
Mr. Jen, I’d like to discuss bringing your talent into a ground-breaking opportunity in the high-tech online industry.
Like I said before, persons of your talent, creativity, through-provoking, disruptive, yet ingenious wit would be significantly better utilized in a aggresive, fresh environment. Hopefully the spam won’t overwhelm the account this time!
February 11th, 2005 at 11:37 pm
good stuff indeed…you have a very powerful message and to CORPORATE AMERICA…f*ck them all…you see the reason Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and the likes dont have blogs and tell it like it is to the “real people” is because of their GREED and robotic ways of feeding the wall st community..afterall, its all about the bottomline and making money right? and getting deals and continued growth?? HAHA..what a joke these fools are..after spending 8 yrs on wall street in NYC, I’ll never trust another IVY league wanna be with no “common” sense again..but here here to capitalism its the best thing that drives the world…I enjoy taking their money…watch out CHINA…those 1.3 billion strong have something up their sleeves…always a buyer and a seller for that is what makes markets…on the flip side also a right and a wrong?? you were NOT dealt with in a tactful and respectful manner…IMHO..but then again these crooks are selling stock @ $200 per share that they own at a buck while poor mom and pop in the midwest are buying into their BS stories…although I am a a loyal user of FIREFOX and kudos to those guys but now they will be corrupted and promised a gazillion shares of stock for their brilliant technology just to put ole billy and the boys on their stools…its a never ending game…good luck and thanks for sharing..take care man and drive on…GOD BLESS AMERICA and our TROOPS!
February 11th, 2005 at 11:45 pm
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February 12th, 2005 at 12:28 am
Good luck mark. Sorry to see you leave us.
-markl
February 12th, 2005 at 12:42 am
This scene is so amusing to me (I’m not a blogger, but just created this account for my one post here). Here you have a bunch of people who have deluded themselves into thinking that this decision by management was somehow an us-vs-them statement about bloggers and self-expression. That is not the case. Google is selective within engineering, and even more selective with PMs, and my guess is that they realized they’d hired someone who was still immature and had bad judgement. It’s not like anything you did was flagrantly grounds for firing, but your posts (which you’ve since deleted) were painfully naive.
Basically, I don’t think you got fired because of your postings directly… I think you got fired as a second-order effect, as people probably realized that you’re immature. I couldn’t believe the things you were complaining about, as they were all variables that were within your scope of knowledge when you accepted the position; if you don’t like the salary or the options, don’t sign on the dotted line! If you think the free meals are a cynical ploy, then bring your own lunch and eat dinner at home!
Your current post is drenched in self-righteousness (e.g., “i thought i could jump in the deep end and immerse myself in the revolutionary development environment; i thought i could make connections to real people in the outside world and get first hand feedback; i thought google would love it. i thought wrong.”) that steps cleanly around the point of contention: not that you’re a blogger or that you have good ideas, but that you’re immature and lack adequate judgement. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I would expect that google doesn’t have a clearly stated black/white policy about what’s acceptable blogging and what’s not, and I’m sure what you’ve got is within the gray area.
I’d wager that you weren’t fired because you’re a blogger, you were fired because Google realized they made a mistake hiring you, and this was a great excuse to correct it. Please don’t