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I'd say that if you haven't realized that as a doftware engineer, you are essentially enriching the capital wielding class and are essentially just their means

I'd say that if you haven't realized that as a doftware engineer, you are essentially enriching the capital wielding class and are essentially just their means to being able to wash their hands of the masses, you're probably either asleep at the wheel, see yourself as a temporarily inconvenienced billionaire, or really have no choice but to further that aim to achieve whatever your own goals are. The push for AI isn't even trying to reach further than can be grasped; it's the ultimate lottery ticket to the well-to-do.

vanviegen 4y ago
The same could be said about many innovations that most of us would call progress in hindsight.
maxfurman 4y ago
This is literally any worker? If you don't have a stake in the company, your bosses profit more from your work than they pay you for it, almost by definition.
- neon_electro 4y ago
  Even if you do have a stake in the company, often the company controls the contract governing that stake, especially if you don't really own the stake you are promised (options). "Equity" feels like a mirage, often.
pixl97 4y ago
Oh, then I guess you better vote in a government that doesn't maximize gains for the wealthy. But taxation doesn't go well with the libertarian types here on HN. A few of us are millionaires in the capital class, and the rest are 'temporarily depressed millionaires' thinking we're moments away from enacting our own get rich scheme.
post-it 4y ago
> or really have no choice but to further that aim to achieve whatever your own goals are. I mean yeah. That's everyone.
mkoubaa 4y ago
[flagged]
roncesvalles 4y ago
The function that employment plays in society is that you can recruit people to work on your project without needing to fully convince them of its utility, by completely derisking their time investment. Metaverse? Solar-powered toothpaste dispenser? Broccoli and cheddar flavored ice cream? Rockets that fly to Mars? "Sure. Whatever you want, boss."

vanviegen 4y ago

The same could be said about many innovations that most of us would call progress in hindsight.

maxfurman 4y ago

This is literally any worker? If you don't have a stake in the company, your bosses profit more from your work than they pay you for it, almost by definition.

neon_electro 4y ago
Even if you do have a stake in the company, often the company controls the contract governing that stake, especially if you don't really own the stake you are promised (options). "Equity" feels like a mirage, often.

pixl97 4y ago

Oh, then I guess you better vote in a government that doesn't maximize gains for the wealthy. But taxation doesn't go well with the libertarian types here on HN. A few of us are millionaires in the capital class, and the rest are 'temporarily depressed millionaires' thinking we're moments away from enacting our own get rich scheme.

post-it 4y ago

> or really have no choice but to further that aim to achieve whatever your own goals are. I mean yeah. That's everyone.

mkoubaa 4y ago

[flagged]

roncesvalles 4y ago

The function that employment plays in society is that you can recruit people to work on your project without needing to fully convince them of its utility, by completely derisking their time investment. Metaverse? Solar-powered toothpaste dispenser? Broccoli and cheddar flavored ice cream? Rockets that fly to Mars? "Sure. Whatever you want, boss."