A belated explanation (or why I left Macworld)

Nearly 10 years ago, I left Macworld to take a job in Cupertino. Somewhat to my surprise, it became a thing—a story flung around Apple-centric websites.

And it was weird for me. I was accustomed to being the person who penned this kind of thing rather than the subject of it. While I loved the many nice things people wrote about my work, I was perplexed by some of the more imaginative takes.

Rather than focus on the skills I had that might earn me a position at said company, folks came up with the most fantastical speculations—that I’d be working with the music production team, do something with podcasting or video, or even—god help them—take on a leadership position in public relations. 

And when it wasn’t specific speculation, it was a tea-leaves exercise. A couple of other tech journalists had recently joined the company, now Breen makes a move, therefore… something.

Because, apparently, everything the company in question does means Something.

Unless it doesn’t.

Had anyone examined the shaving utensil carelessly dropped by Bill Occam at Ye Olde Seminary Washroom, they would have come to this very clear realization:

A career in tech journalism was rapidly becoming a dead end.

Macworld had gone through a couple of layoffs—cutting the staff to what I imagined was the bone. Gone were editors, copy editors, graphic designers, sales people, the guy who refreshed the keg and coffee in the break room…. My book writing and video training side hustles were also evaporating and it was hard to get by on just my Macworld work.

And then Bloody Tuesday arrived where everyone was laid off except for Susie Ochs, Leah Yamshon, Caitlin McGarry, and me. 

While I sat on the business end of a conference call that informed the very limited audience about the fate of our newly unemployed friends and coworkers, my first thought was “I gotta get out of here.” 

The second was, “Wait, didn’t I talk with someone recently who suggested I work with his team in Cupertino?”

I had. And at the time—right around the last Macworld Expo in San Francisco—I dismissed the idea. After all, I was a Known Guy in the small pond of Apple-centric journalists, a Guy thiiiiis close to gaining Twitter followers numbered in 5 figures, a Guy invited to pontificate about All Things Apple! Why on earth would I want to throw that away!?

And then my ego and I had a long talk. Were Twitter followers, speaking invitations, and featured bylines really worth more than the family I needed to support? Sure, these shiny objects satisfied my craving for attention, but they didn’t make me a better or more responsible person. Looking back, I was less of one.

So yeah, I made some calls.