To learn more about what inspired the initial tweet, we contacted BJ Smith himself and he was kind enough to have a little chat. "I've had different experiences with IT [guys] at places I've worked. Some were great and I consider them friends," the artist told Bored Panda.
"Unfortunately many others have personalities that aren't well suited for interacting with people. Someone mentioned in an Instagram comment that the work attracts people that don't have the best social skills—I'm paraphrasing. It comes across as arrogance with a condescending tone. Not the best for a working relationship."
That being said, BJ Smith understands that they're human too and have to deal with people that shouldn't be allowed anywhere near technology in the first place.
"I worked for an IT company that ran a dial-up internet service early in my career. Part of my job as a webmaster was to answer service calls," he recalled. "Many of those calls were painful, but I had to remember they are our customers and need to be treated professionally."
When it comes to the replies to his tweet, BJ Smith remained humble and said he took the thumping he deserved for making a generalization. "There are great IT people out there. I wrote what I did in a moment of weakness," he explained.
But while many IT professionals gave examples of the BS they go through, BJ Smith thinks that "they also need to realize that not all people they deal with are the same either. I’m not one of the three people that couldn't tell the server wasn't on."
"I also saw a ton of support too," he added. "I heard from several people who had similar experiences. I even had friends in IT [sending me DM's of] support."
If he had to do it all over again, the artist wouldn't generalize or stereotype the entire industry but he doesn't think he did the wrong thing by expressing his frustrations. And neither do I. If anything, the thread he has started has brought empathy to a discussion that's usually fueled by hostility and mockery. From both camps.
"I did the wrong thing by lashing out and insulting great IT people that weren't responsible for the situation I was in at that moment, [but] I hope that everyone can learn from this moment," BJ Smith said.
"Don’t post when you're feeling extreme emotions. Look at these situations from [different angles]. That goes for both the customers and the IT people."
