a simple counter example to your entire rant is that you can get ahead in those companies by politicking. You don't have to work extra hard, or push yourself, j

a simple counter example to your entire rant is that you can get ahead in those companies by politicking. You don't have to work extra hard, or push yourself, just know the right people and push the right buttons to get the promotion. Speak for yourself. For me, it's more stressful to play politics and schmooze than it is to drop in and do 12 straight hours of solid work. Real work is fun. Greasing palms is a pain in the ass. Also, it's true that these people don't "push themselves" intellectually, but you definitely have to work very hard to create the appearances of effort, performance, and (most importantly by far) shared suffering.