I would argue that Germany is not a socialist country. Politics are targeted at the already wealthy and cooperations.

I’m not versed enough in politics and history to give detailed examples. I’m just a normal guy. However, I’m currently listening to the Jung & Naiv podcast on Spotify.

In episode 661 they discuss the development of the housing sector since the 1950s and very little in the 18th century. The important information is that the housing sector grew from being socialist to being a housing market.

I think they mention that in the 50s there existed a “Kostenmiete” (Cost-rent). That would only be allowed by law to be as high as it needed to be to cover the costs for building the house/flat. The owners were not allowed to make profit exceeding 3.5%. Any profit had to be put into housing again to keep the housing sector growing. Around that time the state was heavily supporting housing unions and other groups (not cooperations) to build housing. The state itself built 500.000 !!! appartments a year. Last year the interview says they built 6 appartments. Six, in case you thought you read a typo.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ At least in the housing market we are not socialist anymore and it becomes worse every year. Education becomes worse every year. The medical sector becomes worse every year. Public transport becomes worse every year. Loans do not keep up with inflation. Everything becomes more expensive.

Yes, we are better off than many. But are we not just richer slaves with more benefits than others? The interview says that there exist studies that estimate 11 million households to qualify for social housing. In some cities that is 60% of their population. 60% quality for social housing. Are we alright?

As a German, I think I would. Given that it is good and just.

So, it seems I’m really out of the loop. Is this some AI thing generating a video from my comment? Or does this scroll through all comments while “recording” the screen?

Why not move to Afghanistan and listen to modern music for a little adventure?

cough freedom of choice cough. I choose not to allow freedom of choice.

Literally. The moment someone wants to have a look at my anus, I’d already have shown them. What’s the deal with everyone? We need to be more transparent with these kind of topics. Nobody wants to share anymore. We are all walled off behind our smartphones and doors and houses.

So true

I do think you do be right with that.

True enough. Yes, I would expect them to move towards my expectation once they got to know me better and once they see that I might fit into the team quite nice. At least I believe it more likely than weeding me out based on numbers in the very first call. I too don’t have enough experience to know whether this is realistic. I just know that my current employer would lean into that way of thinking.

But, it seems that many companies can still afford to weed out candidates by numbers, at least here in Germany. So, I just have to do me as long as I have a secure position and otherwise, otherwise.

Congratulations 😄

I often get ask about my salary expectation in the very first 10 minute interview with the HR person, before even getting the chance to talk to the team. Being sincere, I wouldn’t get to follow-up interviews if I told them my expectation that they would definitely see as too high.

How do you deal with that situation?