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The only true answer is that out there are 8 billion people waking up every day. And all they do is seeking social relevance, and by doing so they are inadvert

• elpakal 5y ago
  some people work because they have to though, it's not just about "social relevance".
  • sgillen 5y ago
    True, but this article is about "insecure overachievers" who work at "elite professional organizations". I think there's a decent argument that these people are largely driven by prestige AKA social relevance.
• milesvp 5y ago
  I think this is sort of a false dichotomy, and potentially a defeatist take. There is an increasing body of evidence that any work done above 40hrs/wk for thought work is only beneficial for a few weeks at a time. After which overtime is necessary just to maintain what would have otherwise taken only 40hrs. What this tells me is that it's essential to learn how to strategically work longer hours, knowing that the recovery time will reduce your hours by at least as much (personal experience is that 2x is actually more realistic to getting back to normal measurable output). I see it as no different than athletes who learn when to expend that extra energy in competition such that it doesn't leave them flagging the rest of the match. I also think you may be overestimating the amount of effort it takes to sort of tread water if necessary. I suspect it's more of a logarithmic decay function in terms of social relevance. I've come to think that the hardest part of staying socially relevant isn't the amount of effort it takes to stay on top, but to actually recognize when it's important to spend effort on some new trend, and when it's important to ignore other trends. I think for this it's even more important to take a step back and take time out to reflect rather than actively trying to work insane hours.
  • andreilys 5y ago
    Depends on what you define as work. Is going golfing and having dinner with clients considered “work”? How about attending fundraisers, concert events, etc. where you have the opportunity to dramatically alter the course of your business with the right connection?
  • GDC7 5y ago
    > but to actually recognize when it's important to spend effort on some new trend, and when it's important to ignore other trends And in order to do that you need to put in the work to study the trends and understand if they are the future or a simple fad. The only way to do that is to put in the work, studying papers, reading a lot etc. That is still work, because sure as hell it ain't leisure
• RandomLensman 5y ago
  Not sure social relevance is really on everyone's agenda given how many high paying jobs don't really have that.
• nomoreplease 5y ago
  > 8 billion people waking up every day. And all they do is seeking social relevance, No they don’t. Most of this earth is seeking food and clean water and substance. You’re lucky enough to have that and seek your social relevance
  • GDC7 5y ago
    > Most of this earth is seeking food and clean water and substance. You are underestimating the intelligence of people in 3rd world countries. They might be fighting violently to procure themselves those things, but in their mind there is always the thought of reaching a point when their social status is so high that they won't have to fight violently, but other people in the village would bring food and water to them as a sign of respect. That's basically the sole reason for becoming a shaman or a sorcer
    • cee_el123 5y ago
      I sincerely recommend you go test your hypotheses out in the field.
    • nomoreplease 5y ago
      Geez. I’m underestimating their intelligence? Have you visited the 3rd world? I have. Many times, and food+shelter is THE number one priority.
• cee_el123 5y ago
  no most of those 8 billion are just trying to put food on the table by whatever means - relevance is probably the last thing on their mind - you can't blame people for trying to survive yes everything in this capitalism dominated world is owned by somebody so even for food to survive, you have to engage in economic activity yes if you work on problems that nobody needs solved, nobody's gonna solve any of your problems there is no biggest lie, those at "the top" are simply enjoying the benefits of nature's bountifulness, inheritance, corruption, inability of common people to organise and negotiate for a better life, etc it's a zero sum game only by design - that common people play partly out of ignorance and partly out of necessity
  • GDC7 5y ago
    > no most of those 8 billion are just trying to put food on the table by whatever means - relevance is probably the last thing on their mind - you can't blame people for trying to survive You are underestimating the intelligence of people in 3rd world countries. They might be fighting violently to procure themselves those things, but in their mind there is always the thought of reaching a point when their social status is so high that they won't have to fight violently, but other people in the village would bring food and water to them as a sign of respect. That's basically the sole reason for becoming a shaman or a sorcer
    • cee_el123 5y ago
      I sincerely recommend you go test your hypotheses out in the field.
• asdff 5y ago
  >There is not a mechanism which allows you to stop working and freeze your social relevance in place as some sort of videogame checkpoint type manner. This is called retirement
• cblconfederate 5y ago
  some of the richest ppl in the world dont do that, i dont think they are socially irrelevant