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That's a noble argument, but I think it's wrong. Someone has got to make the trains run on time. What I mean is, there will always be people in this world whose
by hyperbovine 17y ago
That's a noble argument, but I think it's wrong. Someone has got to make the trains run on time. What I mean is, there will always be people in this world whose function it is to flip hamburgers, drive forklifts, raise livestock or work in HR. Without them the whole edifice comes crashing down. Rather than demeaning those callings, you should acknowledge that it's because of the hard work of untold millions that a few of us have the freedom to devote ourselves to higher causes. A lot less research would get done if we all had to grow our own food.
Also, I have always found the get-rich-so-I-can-do-good mantra to just something people tell themselves to rationalize their blind pursuit of wealth. The chance of this happening is hilariously remote. Anyone who is playing the odds would be far better off taking a job as a social worker, teacher or relief worker.
Not to mention the fact that you don't exactly need millions to make a difference. I have a friend (http://www.qfund.org/ http://www.qfund.org/) who took $50,000 and built a school for 500 children in Africa. She has made more of a difference in people's lives than the next 500 nerds in they Valley who are trying to strike it rich so they can build a spaceship, combined.
- gfodor 17y agoI guess my post was toned incorrectly if it came off as demeaning. My point was that if you have the freedom to work on anything, and its your choice, it's not really worth working on anything that isn't either a means to an end for a higher goal or on that goal itself. I'm not saying you can't have fun doing other things, or that its not necessary for people to do things like keeping the trains on time. Just saying if you have freedom, you should use it wisely.
- Confusion 17y agoWhat alleviates more suffering: when I do volunteer work in Africa or when I work as <whatever> here and donate a substantial amount of my income to the Red Cross? Me comforting some children dying of AIDS or me supplying the means for a hundred blankets in a refugee camp? Just saying if you have freedom, you should use it wisely. Who's going to be the judge of that? It would suck pretty bad if Elon Musk had decided to spend his life in Africa as a volunteer, now wouldn't it?
- hyperbovine 17y agoWho's going to be the judge of that? It would suck pretty bad if Elon Musk had decided to spend his life in Africa as a volunteer, now wouldn't it? Who's to say? Everything the guy touches turns to gold. If more smart, vibrant people like him went to Africa instead of chasing pipe dreams around Silicon Valley and Wall Street, Africa might be a very different place today. BTW he did spend part of his life in Africa, he was born there :)