5 ms·
A fair criticism. Personally, I've spent enough time around folks who followed their passion and seen where it got them that I'm 100% on board the utility funct
by tvanantwerp 8y ago
A fair criticism. Personally, I've spent enough time around folks who followed their passion and seen where it got them that I'm 100% on board the utility function train.
- totololo 8y agoOh how I would LOVE to know more! Can you give examples?
- Aeolun 8y agoJoin a startup as a soon-to-be father, following your dreams, and have the thing explode in your face, then finally recover and get a job at a megacorp (a week before the baby is due)? Utility for the win! Following your dreams is fun and all, but the risk/reward ratio is just way out there.
- adambyrtek 8y agoGetting a stable job at a big company to be able to support your family after taking a risk on a startup doesn't sound like a terrible outcome to be honest.
- stefanmichael 8y agoSounds optimal actually, you want to take risk when allowed and stop taking that risk immediately when your life changes.
- pmarreck 8y agoSo the take-home here is take all your career risks before you take on dependents?
- Aeolun 8y agoYes, but probably not while your wife is pregnant.
- Reedx 8y agoActing and professional sports are good examples, but consider anything with very low odds. You hear about the successes, not about those who didn't make it (the 99%). They had passion too.
- monk_e_boy 8y agoThe problem occurs when passion and expectations differ. An artist who expects a good, easy life, to be wealthy as a plumber etc. Utility is fine. Packing shelves is fine. Do you have time to follow your passion out of work? Can you make your passion pay enough? Most people I've met who gave up on their passion seemed to want praise, fame and/or notoriety rather than the 'art' or whatever they were producing.
- kurthr 8y agoExactly, I know so many part-time artists/musicians... even a few part time scientists. If the passion/art is really important to you, you'll find a way (there's a homeless guy I know who paints and chalks). You may not get what you want, but maybe you'll still get what you need. Somewhere in here there's the Peter principle that people rise to their highest level of incompetence... it's true in art as well as engineering/business.
- exactly 8y agoExactly.
- colordrops 8y agoIt's not binary though. It's a complex weaving dance between passion and utility for most people if you are to be both reasonably happy and well off.