Wednesday, August 13, 2014

humbled

I find it strange that when people win an award or get an amazing job, they say that they are "humbled". This makes no sense to me.

Satya Nadella was "humbled" to be chosen as Microsoft CEO. The Oscar winners are "humbled" in their acceptance speeches. Why would you be humbled during the biggest success of your career? That's the one time you should be feeling *least* humble!

Earlier today:

niniane: i screwed up tonight and accidentally stood up friends. Humbled. (This is the proper use of "humbled")

omst: would someone who was humbled also sidenote that they were using the word correctly?
omst: food for thought
omst: humbled-brag

niniane: lol humbled-brag!

Gentle reader, next time you win something, please don't reiterate some bogus hypocrisy about being humbled. I want to hear you say, "Yes. This has been a long time coming, bitches. I deserve this. You all should be humbled in my presence."

I actually quite like how Charlie Sheen does this, with his #winning and his "giving everyone another faceload of planet jealous".

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Honored" is a much better term to use than humbled. As for Charlie Sheen and also what you write in a previous paragraph, I'm sure you mention it in humor, but that's just a world class prick move if anyone actually says those things publicly. Sheen was a junkie train wreck who also made fun of regular people who had to go on living their boring lives in their little shacks and with their ugly wives, while he lived a life they dreamed of.

Chris Y. said...

Someone who has just been given a compliment might make a polite show of modesty by saying, "I am humbled by your generosity," meaning she feels she really doesn't live up to the compliment. Showing reverence for your successfully attained post shows character. I say keep humbling on.

N said...

Ok, so "humbled" means "You are giving me too much credit"? That makes some sense.

Anonymous said...

So you're advocating Donald Trump type of smugness and arrogance for anyone who achieves anything great in life? Humble may not be the correct term, but no one likes being around an self absorbed egomaniac either. Modesty and humility goes a long way as the earlier commenter mentions.

Anonymous said...

I am humbly arrogant!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

i prefer you bitaches and mofos

gregbo said...

Pres. Obama's 2009 inaugural speech started with:

"My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors."

I take it that this use of "humbled" indicates acknowledgment of the serious charge laid upon someone, in addition to attainment of some goal.

mr. humble said...

One example of a humbling experience would be "all my life, people have told me I'm so pretty, but no guy even looked at me, expressed any romantic interest, or asked for my number at the party" The converse for a guy would be getting shot down by every girl he asks out. Now that's humbling!

Anonymous said...

Has any stranger ever recognized you from your blog? If so, does it feel weird?

N said...

@gregbo: "Humbled by the task before us" makes sense. So it makes sense why Satya would say it upon becoming Microsoft CEO. Doesn't make sense why people say it after winning an award.

@anonymous 8/16: I've been recognized 10-20 times over the years by strangers from my blog. Usually they just say hi and that they've read my blog, and then they go on with their business. So it's not weird. It's kind of like if someone comes up and says they met you a long time ago, and you don't remember.

humbled_in_sv said...

I'm humbled by your intelligence! I first heard about your name in some fortune magazine article about google and you receiving a founder award. I also recall it mentioning you graduated from CalTech at 18. I didn't feel very smart after reading that.

Anonymous said...

@niniane

what age did you lose your virginity?

Jack said...

A few years ago, I was on stage to receive an award for work that I had done. I was in front of over 100 folks at a ballroom, including friends, colleagues and many strangers. When I stood up there and looked out, I felt so much smaller than the honor they were giving me. I know it was just a moment, and we'd all move on to something else soon enough, but whatever that was - collective goodwill, generosity, focused energy - it truly humbled me.