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That can be accurate, but keep in mind that the people ins Silicon Valley are there using the brain and therefore more aware of the financials of their lives. A

That can be accurate, but keep in mind that the people ins Silicon Valley are there using the brain and therefore more aware of the financials of their lives. Artists and sportists on the other hand can be a bit more detached from how much they make. I am not saying that this happens in 100% of the cases but there is a correlation.

sh4z 8y ago
I kind of agree with your sentiment but you make it sound a bit like artists don't use their brain, or are outright stupid - which I don't think you meant and I don't think is true.
- ainiriand 8y ago
  I am not responsible of how it sounds to you. But you are free to think that I have directed an insult to millions of people out there, of course.
- tom_ 8y ago
  Well, it goes both ways. No shortage of tech worker manchildren who despite their financial situation still have no idea how to behave in a way that will encourage people to like them.
- jerf 8y ago
  There's going to be a lot of difference in practice between accumulating a lot of money over the course of decades until you're in a pretty good place in your 50s, and having all of that dumped on you in one fell swoop when you're 19. Among the things that a SV engineer who manages that has to think about is if they have children, what happens when they die. It's nice to pass some things on to your children, but at the same time, plopping a million dollars in assets down on your kid all at once may not be doing them favors. Best to look at your options. (I'm not going into it here just because it's really more than fits into an HN message, nor should you take the advice from me; I'm aware that there are options.)
icantdrive55 8y ago
Actually--I think you have it backwards. 1. Delusional tech who spends many years learning new flavor of the year the languages, and poof it's all over in a downturn. Savings ran out years ago, and 45 is considered old, and useless. I know too many homeless former Programmers. They still believe they will eventually make those big salaries again, but the offers just dry up. 2. Starving artists gets lucky. Most will know they got lucky, and spend the rest of their life frugally. (The mega stars like Depp, and Cage are the ones spending irrationally. I believe they are the small percentage of SAG members that keeps the accountant babysitters earning their pay? The actors I know feel lucky if they keep their SAG card valid, with occasional work.)
Animats 8y ago
Most people who make a lot of money blow through it in about 7 years. I know a couple who blew through $15 million. The wife ended up working as a cook in a restaurant.

sh4z 8y ago

I kind of agree with your sentiment but you make it sound a bit like artists don't use their brain, or are outright stupid - which I don't think you meant and I don't think is true.

ainiriand 8y ago
I am not responsible of how it sounds to you. But you are free to think that I have directed an insult to millions of people out there, of course.
tom_ 8y ago
Well, it goes both ways. No shortage of tech worker manchildren who despite their financial situation still have no idea how to behave in a way that will encourage people to like them.
jerf 8y ago
There's going to be a lot of difference in practice between accumulating a lot of money over the course of decades until you're in a pretty good place in your 50s, and having all of that dumped on you in one fell swoop when you're 19. Among the things that a SV engineer who manages that has to think about is if they have children, what happens when they die. It's nice to pass some things on to your children, but at the same time, plopping a million dollars in assets down on your kid all at once may not be doing them favors. Best to look at your options. (I'm not going into it here just because it's really more than fits into an HN message, nor should you take the advice from me; I'm aware that there are options.)

icantdrive55 8y ago

Actually--I think you have it backwards. 1. Delusional tech who spends many years learning new flavor of the year the languages, and poof it's all over in a downturn. Savings ran out years ago, and 45 is considered old, and useless. I know too many homeless former Programmers. They still believe they will eventually make those big salaries again, but the offers just dry up. 2. Starving artists gets lucky. Most will know they got lucky, and spend the rest of their life frugally. (The mega stars like Depp, and Cage are the ones spending irrationally. I believe they are the small percentage of SAG members that keeps the accountant babysitters earning their pay? The actors I know feel lucky if they keep their SAG card valid, with occasional work.)

Animats 8y ago

Most people who make a lot of money blow through it in about 7 years. I know a couple who blew through $15 million. The wife ended up working as a cook in a restaurant.