The speaker is describing their experience transitioning from a traditional media environment at 'Newsweek' to the dynamic and unconventional world of a software startup. This shift highlights how they feel out of place and somewhat uncomfortable, as if they no longer fit into this new context.
On a deeper level, the quote touches upon the broader theme of career transitions and personal identity in rapidly changing industries. The speaker's sense of dislocation suggests that established professionals often face challenges when entering unfamiliar territory where norms and expectations differ significantly from what they are accustomed to. This feeling is not uncommon as people move through different stages of their careers, adapting to new environments that may require them to rethink their roles and identities.
Daniel Lyons, the author of this quote, is a well-known American journalist and novelist. He gained significant attention for his satirical account of working at enterprise software company EMC Corporation under its subsidiary, VMware, which he wrote about in the persona of "Greg Gildersleeve" for Forbes magazine. This series of articles eventually became the basis for his book "Liberty Speaks," a fictionalized portrayal of life inside a tech startup.
