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Thank Shog9 for cultivating Stack Overflow

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Josh Heyer (aka Shog9 ) was a community manager for Stack Overflow for over 9 years.  On Monday, he was unceremoniously let go .

Shog9 shaped Stack Overflow. He built the community  to what it was today. Without his efforts, we would not have the single greatest knowledge resource for programmers. 

Jeff and Joel and Jarrod and Geoff built the garden,  but Shog tended the soil, nurtured the plants and watered them , and stood by patiently, day after day, night after night, and ensured it blossomed and flourished.  He did this for over 10 years, first as a voice in the community, and later as a community manager.

Sadly, up until now, there has been no reward for that effort. He didn't do it to get rich or fame or noticed, he did it because he cared about us. He cared about Stack Overflow, the community, and the idea that there can be a better way to find the knowledge needed to program in today's world. Shog spent almost 10 years, day after day, missing small moments in his own personal life so that our community could flourish and grow.

That's not a job. That's a calling. That's a vocation. 

That's the dedication that Shog put towards us. Towards you and towards me.

I'm raising this GoFundMe for Shog. For his efforts.  To show him we care.  To show that while no thanks will ever be enough for his work, we can at least make sure he's able to transition to his next calling without having to take the first job that comes along, or without having to sign away his freedom to talk about these last ten years candidly, or without having to go into debt.

All net proceeds will go to Josh Heyer, aka Shog9.  They are for him, however he wants to use them.  The only expenses taken out will be for a wire transfer and any other expenses necessary to get the funds to him.  I chose $80,000 because I couldn't find what a yearly salary  for a community manager was on Stack Overflow.  I can't put a number to what he deserves. I believe at the lowest end it should be 6 months of salary; but even as I type those words it doesn't seem like enough. It doesn't seem like enough for the ten years of daily effort he put into us and our community.  It doesn't seem like enough of a thank you for his work. 

It's a meager sum compared to how much of himself he gave us.

If you believe, as I do, that Shog should have the freedom to choose what he does next, that he should have the freedom to spend time with his wife, that he shouldn't be forced to sign an agreement in exchange for needed healthcare, that he deserves  accolades and compensation for all the work he's put into us and our community over the last ten years, then join me in thanking him . In supporting him.  In showing that we  care for him just as much as he cared for us for ten years. 

Shog spent 10 years making stone soup  for us.  Let's make stone soup for him.

Donations 

  • Mari Birch
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Kirk Woll
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Tim Kye
    • $10 
    • 4 yrs
  • Jamal Almouslli
    • $20 
    • 4 yrs

Organizer and beneficiary

George Stocker
Organizer
Springfield, VA
Joshua Heyer
Beneficiary

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