4 ms·

> 2. It exists simply to deal with the complexity of systems we've set up in the first place. I think of all the fin tech and health tech startups that exist be

> 2. It exists simply to deal with the complexity of systems we've set up in the first place. I think of all the fin tech and health tech startups that exist because so many of our financial and especially healthcare systems are insanely complex. This one really bothers me too, having worked in the healthcare industry. There is an entire class of business the "does good" by helping people navigate an intentionally hostile system. And those businesses therefore profit off the hostility of the system. It is an abusive relationship.

hn_throwaway_99 3y ago
> There is an entire class of business the "does good" by helping people navigate an intentionally hostile system. Yeah, I'm currently in this boat, and it hurts a bit when I think about it too much sometimes. That is, I tell myself "OK, you're not curing cancer, but you're helping make a shitty system less shitty for people who need to navigate it." And that is true. But I do acknowledge that a much better solution would just be to fix the underlying problem in the first place, and I admit that my company is just profiting off the unnecessary complexity that exists to begin with.
- meristohm 3y ago
  I appreciate that you recognize this and are not just rationalizing to protect yourself. Still, survival is a natural drive. It also feels natural to seek work that fits one's values and gives enough of a sense of meaning to life. I found this in K-12 education and now in parenting, which will have a long tail since our child has extra needs due to disabilities. I have the freedom to pick up some extra work now that school started (my spouse has a full-time job she feels good about), and this work aligns with my values but is not particularly lucrative. I use the public library for most of my entertainment and education (thank you, taxpayers of the USA; this is one of our best investments for the future), and I feel rich in non-monetary ways. All that to say- make the jump to something you feel good about doing! Edit to add: Easily-consumed media (phone games, video shorts, social media posts, etc):books and movies from the public library::highly-processed food:homemade food from your garden or local farm; these wholesome things can be difficult to get in the habit of, but they feel more than momentarily good.

hn_throwaway_99 3y ago

> There is an entire class of business the "does good" by helping people navigate an intentionally hostile system. Yeah, I'm currently in this boat, and it hurts a bit when I think about it too much sometimes. That is, I tell myself "OK, you're not curing cancer, but you're helping make a shitty system less shitty for people who need to navigate it." And that is true. But I do acknowledge that a much better solution would just be to fix the underlying problem in the first place, and I admit that my company is just profiting off the unnecessary complexity that exists to begin with.

meristohm 3y ago
I appreciate that you recognize this and are not just rationalizing to protect yourself. Still, survival is a natural drive. It also feels natural to seek work that fits one's values and gives enough of a sense of meaning to life. I found this in K-12 education and now in parenting, which will have a long tail since our child has extra needs due to disabilities. I have the freedom to pick up some extra work now that school started (my spouse has a full-time job she feels good about), and this work aligns with my values but is not particularly lucrative. I use the public library for most of my entertainment and education (thank you, taxpayers of the USA; this is one of our best investments for the future), and I feel rich in non-monetary ways. All that to say- make the jump to something you feel good about doing! Edit to add: Easily-consumed media (phone games, video shorts, social media posts, etc):books and movies from the public library::highly-processed food:homemade food from your garden or local farm; these wholesome things can be difficult to get in the habit of, but they feel more than momentarily good.