3 ms·

there are plenty of people who are financially independent but who don't choose to follow their moral compass.

by raffael_de 4mo ago

trhway 4mo ago
Being financially independent is the moral compass of the financially independent.
- raffael_de 4mo ago
  "being financially independent" is a state and a "moral compass" is a function or tool. Two different concepts like red and tomato or yesterday and cold.
  - classified 4mo ago
    A compass needs to point somewhere and financial independence is where it points for those people.
- alsetmusic 4mo ago
  > Being financially independent is the moral compass of the financially independent. I mean, I think you meant it somewhat derisively (if not, apologies), but it's absolutely true. I work for two reasons: it gives me a higher quality of living and it anchors my life by creating structure. I could choose to not work and be very frugal and probably be ok. But I might have to re-enter the job market later in life due to rising costs after my skills have atrophied (been there, it's horrible; no one will consider you). Or I can make certain that when the day comes that I'm ready to be done, it's at a time when making it to death without financial hardship has a much higher probability. I can also afford to enjoy nice things rather than pinching pennies. I also know that I have a tendency to spin out if I have too much free time and not enough going with routine and a sense of contributing. Combined with the above, this means I am free to work where I want to work, doing the absolute easiest thing I can find that I still consider rewarding. I don't have to chase money or promotions (I want as little responsibility as possible). I can walk away tomorrow if my org does something I consider unethical. I can hold out for a position that meets the above criteria rather than taking the first job I see because of desperation. When my previous employer had layoffs, I was able to remain comfortable for six months while only applying to jobs I genuinely wanted. There's no amount of money that a Meta, Google, OpenAI, etc could offer me because even though it'd be nice to own a house in the Bay Area, I'm satisfied renting until death and don't need more than the very nice spacious home I've already got. I hit the jackpot and I'm grateful every day.
paulryanrogers 4mo ago
I think the implication is that their moral compass was disregarded or non-existent until they gained their independence. Therefore not worthy of serious consideration. People who don't ever consider or speak of morals or ethics are beside the point.
- dietr1ch 4mo ago
  This kind of assumes that Google hasn't been progressively testing how far it can go to secure big contracts. Over a 10+ year period it dropped the do no evil part, it implemented code siloes claiming it was because of Waymo's code being stolen, it prevented a union from being formed, it got into military and genocidal contracts. I don't think it's the nice place to work at it was in the 2000s and early 2010s where the worst moral offence was advertising though a monopoly
ElProlactin 4mo ago
In the world of Big Tech, it seems a lot of moral compasses coincidentally start working after the people holding them have cashed out.

there are plenty of people who are financially independent but who don't choose to follow their moral compass.

trhway 4mo ago

Being financially independent is the moral compass of the financially independent.

raffael_de 4mo ago
"being financially independent" is a state and a "moral compass" is a function or tool. Two different concepts like red and tomato or yesterday and cold.
- classified 4mo ago
  A compass needs to point somewhere and financial independence is where it points for those people.
alsetmusic 4mo ago
> Being financially independent is the moral compass of the financially independent. I mean, I think you meant it somewhat derisively (if not, apologies), but it's absolutely true. I work for two reasons: it gives me a higher quality of living and it anchors my life by creating structure. I could choose to not work and be very frugal and probably be ok. But I might have to re-enter the job market later in life due to rising costs after my skills have atrophied (been there, it's horrible; no one will consider you). Or I can make certain that when the day comes that I'm ready to be done, it's at a time when making it to death without financial hardship has a much higher probability. I can also afford to enjoy nice things rather than pinching pennies. I also know that I have a tendency to spin out if I have too much free time and not enough going with routine and a sense of contributing. Combined with the above, this means I am free to work where I want to work, doing the absolute easiest thing I can find that I still consider rewarding. I don't have to chase money or promotions (I want as little responsibility as possible). I can walk away tomorrow if my org does something I consider unethical. I can hold out for a position that meets the above criteria rather than taking the first job I see because of desperation. When my previous employer had layoffs, I was able to remain comfortable for six months while only applying to jobs I genuinely wanted. There's no amount of money that a Meta, Google, OpenAI, etc could offer me because even though it'd be nice to own a house in the Bay Area, I'm satisfied renting until death and don't need more than the very nice spacious home I've already got. I hit the jackpot and I'm grateful every day.

paulryanrogers 4mo ago

I think the implication is that their moral compass was disregarded or non-existent until they gained their independence. Therefore not worthy of serious consideration. People who don't ever consider or speak of morals or ethics are beside the point.

dietr1ch 4mo ago
This kind of assumes that Google hasn't been progressively testing how far it can go to secure big contracts. Over a 10+ year period it dropped the do no evil part, it implemented code siloes claiming it was because of Waymo's code being stolen, it prevented a union from being formed, it got into military and genocidal contracts. I don't think it's the nice place to work at it was in the 2000s and early 2010s where the worst moral offence was advertising though a monopoly

ElProlactin 4mo ago

In the world of Big Tech, it seems a lot of moral compasses coincidentally start working after the people holding them have cashed out.