Back then, I found it strange that people would cheerfully exchange stories such as yours, stick Dilbert strips all over their offices, swap dailywtf links, and just carry on. I was never able to compartmentalize enough to be happy while also admitting that I live in some Kafkaesque version of Office Space. I remember being told by my seniors that I&#x27;ll grow up and grow a thicker skin, and that I will accept that this is just how things work.<p>Now, I&#x27;m happy to find out that that is not indeed how things HAVE to work, and I&#x27;m a lot happier and less conflicted. And now that we have many prominent examples of more functional and humane corporate and engineering cultures, I&#x27;m sad for all those people still toiling away in dilbert-land.