# Jews and high-tech business success **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 2, 2010, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-high-tech-business-success/548876 "2010-08-02T12:38:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 32
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-high-tech-business-success/548876/32 "2010-08-02T22:41:33Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@Todderbob](#): > > > > You don’t actually understand what the “chosen people” means, obviously. It means special, but in a “Better than everyone else,” sort of way. It means special in a “you must carry this burden,” sort of way (at least, that’s the best I can describe it). > > You meant to say, “It means special, but **not** in a “Better than everyone else,” sort of way. It means special in a “you must carry this burden,” sort of way”. This is correct and well said (except for the typo). You are correct, I made a typo. Being chosen doesn’t make Jews “better,” it makes them “burdened.” > [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#): > > > [@Todderbob](#): > > > > I am not, we are not, pessimistic. We are realistic. > > The glass half empty is just a glass with some water in it, of course. > > For my part, I’ve always been sensitive to a certain deadpan grimness that culturally Jewish people can draw upon, briefly and subtly, even in the most lighthearted moments. It could be a look in the eye or the mouth, a careful inflection or a choice of words, so considered and practiced it becomes a reflex. I see it as a psychic spit on the ground, a warding off of the evil eye, a reminder that being carefree and at ease is not their privilege to have - indeed, not even _worth_ having, really. This sums it up fantastically, actually. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-high-tech-business-success/548876)._