7 ms·

I work for myself, from home. I answer to no nobody (except clients, which I can drop at my own risk if I choose) and I do what I want when I want. it’s both th

I work for myself, from home. I answer to no nobody (except clients, which I can drop at my own risk if I choose) and I do what I want when I want. it’s both the single greatest development in my life and the scariest. greatest for obvious reasons (absolute freedom, my time and output are my own, I can be extremely productive in ways I can optimize, I can work on my house and hobbies as appropriate) but scariest because now that I’ve tasted this life I don’t know how I’ll ever go back. and the limit of what one individual can do (for humanity, I mean) from his house is unsatisfying in the long run.

tonyarkles 7y ago
I'm in the same boat as you, about 10 years in. I've tried going back twice, and both times has not gone well. These were warm positions too; one had been a client in the past, and the other was run by an old friend. Both times the lack of autonomy got me. I'm in the same place as you too... starting to wonder about overall impact in the long run, and haven't come up with a plan yet. Glad to hear I'm not the only one :)
- vcavallo 7y ago
  so far my plan is this (of which i’m currently on step 1): - take online classes through Harvard for a certificate that will emulate the CS background i didn’t get in school - apply to grad schools - get a graduate degree studying AI and cognitive science - afterwards either: - get a position so deeply rewarding that i don’t mind loss of autonomy - get a position so high-paying that i don’t mind loss of autonomy - continue working as i do now but be able to take on much more interesting projects and potentially try to contribute to the various nonprofits and open ventures that deal with AI/AI risk in my free time - solve the hard problem of consciousness AND the mind-uploading situation and achieve immortality. all of those 4 options seem good to me, so i’m ok with this plan (notice how it conveniently ignores massive student debt :)

tonyarkles 7y ago

I'm in the same boat as you, about 10 years in. I've tried going back twice, and both times has not gone well. These were warm positions too; one had been a client in the past, and the other was run by an old friend. Both times the lack of autonomy got me. I'm in the same place as you too... starting to wonder about overall impact in the long run, and haven't come up with a plan yet. Glad to hear I'm not the only one :)

vcavallo 7y ago
so far my plan is this (of which i’m currently on step 1): - take online classes through Harvard for a certificate that will emulate the CS background i didn’t get in school - apply to grad schools - get a graduate degree studying AI and cognitive science - afterwards either: - get a position so deeply rewarding that i don’t mind loss of autonomy - get a position so high-paying that i don’t mind loss of autonomy - continue working as i do now but be able to take on much more interesting projects and potentially try to contribute to the various nonprofits and open ventures that deal with AI/AI risk in my free time - solve the hard problem of consciousness AND the mind-uploading situation and achieve immortality. all of those 4 options seem good to me, so i’m ok with this plan (notice how it conveniently ignores massive student debt :)