Comment by nemo

>So if you have high standards instead of being content with mediocrity, you.. have a problem?

The OP was questioning the assumption that the vast majority of workplaces are the kinds of toxic workplaces described by the article and some commenters. Not mere mediocrity.

The account in the article and in some of the more negative commenters didn't fit the experience of the person you replied to, and it doesn't fit mine either. From my (limited anecdotal and not universal) experience and the experiences of devs I know working in various fields, I've seen some toxic workplaces, but they weren't very common and stood out.

I recall talking to (generally younger more emotionally immature) folks who worked at places I've worked. We had good pay, really good benefits, we were on a friendly team with management keeping a light touch. I was happy. They focused on flaws, complained about things like ending free donuts on Fri as though they were living under tyranny, saw things as generally hellish, and were miserable. I've personally seen just what the OP was describing in others. It's worth recognizing that you do get out of things what you bring to them, since not recognizing it is a recipe for misery. If you think everything is toxic, chances are you're bringing something to the story that's causing that.