4 ms·

My conjecture is that the article undersells the possibility that rich people derive non-income utility from their jobs. For example, it seems plausible that jo

My conjecture is that the article undersells the possibility that rich people derive non-income utility from their jobs. For example, it seems plausible that jobless young men like video games because they revolve around competently meeting and overcoming (artificial) challenges. As far as I know, most people in high-paying jobs at least feel like their work consists of competently meeting and overcoming challenges.

ackbar03 6y ago
I second this. Although I'm the opposite of rich I spent around two years trying to get my startup (turned out to be more like a small business) off the ground. Although stressful and tiring it was ultimately more exciting then most of the things I've done before with all the firefighting and Jacky things we did to try and stay afloat. I've since found most other things boring in comparison.
eurasiantiger 6y ago
I’ve found executives often play this game of ”I solved the problem” when they have in fact found someone else to fix things.
- libertine 6y ago
  Hmm, I don't see it like that: if the problem was solved, they actually solved the problem, they just used a human resource to fix it.
  - eurasiantiger 6y ago
    ”Used a human resource” is not a very ethical approach.
    - libertine 6y ago
      Wow this is a new one... You literally have Human Resources in pretty much all medium/large organizations, that manage literally human resources. Since when human resource is not a very ethical approach? What's the new ethical approach to address human resources?
      - eurasiantiger 6y ago
        Since the publication of Immanuel Kant’s ”Groundwork” in 1785, I believe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwork_of_the_Metaphysic_of_Morals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwork_of_the_Metaphysic_o...
  - pksebben 6y ago
    "caused x problem to be solved" is not the same as "solved x problem". the problem management solves is that of identifying needs and diverting resources. it would be unfair to the engineers to say that Elon built a spaceship; we do it anyway, but that doesn't make it accurate or correct.
    - libertine 6y ago
      I think that's pretty much just semantics. In the optics of the management there was a problem and was fixed, it could even be a problem that requires several human resources, and/or external contractors, and/or using a product/service, etc. Why can't they claim they've solved the problem? Like, the CTO asking a Product Manager "did you solve the problem", the PM should say: "I didn't, it was the UI X, the Dev Y, and the intern Z"? By your logic no one can claim to have solved problem if several actors were involved, yet the problem is solved. I don't think it would be unfair to say Elon built a space ship, because in a way he did, and unless someone is completely unaware of the endeavor of building something complex like a space ship, it's known that's a company composed of several people with different backgrounds that worked towards the building of a spaceship. If you wanted to be accurate/correct then every time credit was due we should roll movie-like-credits.
      - pksebben 6y ago
        that last statement, I agree with completely. I think it's one of our largest cultural blind spots - we like simple answers so we give credit to the people at the top of the decision making chain. It's why executive salaries and bonuses are so out of control high, and so many low skill or even high skill / not management positions are underpaid. We should be granting credit the way that movies do. For want of a shoe, the horse was lost etc.
        libertine 6y ago
        I do agree with you on this, that's definitely that status quo and probably influences salaries.

ackbar03 6y ago

I second this. Although I'm the opposite of rich I spent around two years trying to get my startup (turned out to be more like a small business) off the ground. Although stressful and tiring it was ultimately more exciting then most of the things I've done before with all the firefighting and Jacky things we did to try and stay afloat. I've since found most other things boring in comparison.

eurasiantiger 6y ago

I’ve found executives often play this game of ”I solved the problem” when they have in fact found someone else to fix things.

libertine 6y ago
Hmm, I don't see it like that: if the problem was solved, they actually solved the problem, they just used a human resource to fix it.
- eurasiantiger 6y ago
  ”Used a human resource” is not a very ethical approach.
  - libertine 6y ago
    Wow this is a new one... You literally have Human Resources in pretty much all medium/large organizations, that manage literally human resources. Since when human resource is not a very ethical approach? What's the new ethical approach to address human resources?
    - eurasiantiger 6y ago
      Since the publication of Immanuel Kant’s ”Groundwork” in 1785, I believe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwork_of_the_Metaphysic_of_Morals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwork_of_the_Metaphysic_o...
- pksebben 6y ago
  "caused x problem to be solved" is not the same as "solved x problem". the problem management solves is that of identifying needs and diverting resources. it would be unfair to the engineers to say that Elon built a spaceship; we do it anyway, but that doesn't make it accurate or correct.
  - libertine 6y ago
    I think that's pretty much just semantics. In the optics of the management there was a problem and was fixed, it could even be a problem that requires several human resources, and/or external contractors, and/or using a product/service, etc. Why can't they claim they've solved the problem? Like, the CTO asking a Product Manager "did you solve the problem", the PM should say: "I didn't, it was the UI X, the Dev Y, and the intern Z"? By your logic no one can claim to have solved problem if several actors were involved, yet the problem is solved. I don't think it would be unfair to say Elon built a space ship, because in a way he did, and unless someone is completely unaware of the endeavor of building something complex like a space ship, it's known that's a company composed of several people with different backgrounds that worked towards the building of a spaceship. If you wanted to be accurate/correct then every time credit was due we should roll movie-like-credits.
    - pksebben 6y ago
      that last statement, I agree with completely. I think it's one of our largest cultural blind spots - we like simple answers so we give credit to the people at the top of the decision making chain. It's why executive salaries and bonuses are so out of control high, and so many low skill or even high skill / not management positions are underpaid. We should be granting credit the way that movies do. For want of a shoe, the horse was lost etc.
      - libertine 6y ago
        I do agree with you on this, that's definitely that status quo and probably influences salaries.