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Because Sam Altman—who I have yet to find which tangible contribution has provided, sounds likes he knows little from a technical point of view, and who during

Because Sam Altman—who I have yet to find which tangible contribution has provided, sounds likes he knows little from a technical point of view, and who during a Tyler Cowen's interviews he answered the question "So what becomes the most important work of humans?", with: "Love, creativity, how we treat each other" (please listen to the interview and get the ridiculousness of the tone, in addition to the words)—fails to understand, like many others in his position, the importance of agency for human fulfillment. Working hard for yourself, for money, for the love of your craft or something you believe in, it is fine and dandy. But thinking about working day and night for the dreams of others, dedicating the vast majority of your time and energy to a faceless corporation who can dump you like a bored boyfriend, or doing menial, pedestrian jobs that pay little to nothing and would be unbearable for even the most flat-lined brained person living today, well, it gives a different vibe, doesn't it?

sershe 6y ago
Working "for money" and "for the dreams of others" are not mutually exclusive. Every canonical non-tech immigrant success story involves either working crappy jobs, or starting a boring low-margin business like a grocery store or a dry-cleaner in order to provide better future for your family. It also applies in tech, although it's easier to find a job that still pays ok where you don't have to work too hard.
- borroka 6y ago
  Altman was referring to people being not willing to work long hours in tech; I am confident he was not referring to movers, janitors, immigrants who come from dire living conditions et similia, since I doubt he ever interacted with any of them for more than 5 minutes in his life. I remember when reading the Away drama that I was stunned reading that customer service representative were making less than 50k in NYC and had to tolerate the verbal and emotional abuse of a power-tripping clueless executive for 12-14 hours a day. That's hard work for the dreams of others. And it is never the hard work, it is lack of agency and feeling one's fate depending on the mood of (often) lunatics.

sershe 6y ago

Working "for money" and "for the dreams of others" are not mutually exclusive. Every canonical non-tech immigrant success story involves either working crappy jobs, or starting a boring low-margin business like a grocery store or a dry-cleaner in order to provide better future for your family. It also applies in tech, although it's easier to find a job that still pays ok where you don't have to work too hard.

borroka 6y ago
Altman was referring to people being not willing to work long hours in tech; I am confident he was not referring to movers, janitors, immigrants who come from dire living conditions et similia, since I doubt he ever interacted with any of them for more than 5 minutes in his life. I remember when reading the Away drama that I was stunned reading that customer service representative were making less than 50k in NYC and had to tolerate the verbal and emotional abuse of a power-tripping clueless executive for 12-14 hours a day. That's hard work for the dreams of others. And it is never the hard work, it is lack of agency and feeling one's fate depending on the mood of (often) lunatics.