I'm not an engineer, I'm a generalist who works in tech. I'm based in the UK, so no - I apparently have no idea about what it's like to live in the area. But that's not really my point. My point isn't about how expensive it is to live in SF, it's about looking at this bigger picture thing about money, how important it is, why the world (and let's face it, particularly the US and even more particularly the tech hot-spots of the US) is killing itself on 80 hour weeks for insane salaries but still being miserable and having to fill themselves with happy pills to get through the day, and meanwhile 90% of the world is scraping food out of a ditch. Sorry for being an idealist, or "out of touch" but I don't know how anyone can look at this and just say "yeh, I'm ok with that".
FWIW, some context:
- I live on a household income of maybe $100k for a family of 4, by the sea in Cornwall. We live what I would personally consider an extremely luxurious life: a 5 bed house, lots of space, lots of greenery, big skies, amazing seas, and time to look at them
- I work way less than a 40 hour working week. I work with non-profits. I love what I do. It makes me happy.
- I see my kids. I see my wife. I hang out with my friends. I have hobbies. I'm putting aside enough for a pension. No, I won't be able to retire at 50 (I'm 49!), and I'll probably still be doing this in 10 / 15 years' time. But it's fun, thoughtful work that (I hope) isn't going to kill me.
As you've asked - no, we don't give away 50% but we are gifting 10% of profits this year, to see what it means, and will likely be upping this and taking the Effective Altruism pledge next year. It's a small amount, but it feels important and the right thing to do.
I had to look up "tall poppy syndrome" - I'm getting old :-) To respond to this particular criticism - I mean, I guess I'd ask "what is success?" here. I don't know if there's a way of saying this without sounding highly antagonistic or patronising, but for me it's less about criticising those who have found "success" and more that I feel sad for people who think money is everything. It strikes me as the ultimate folly.
And thanks, but I don't feel held back. I feel pretty good. Anyway, It's 10am on a Friday morning and I should go start work ;-)
FWIW, some context:
- I live on a household income of maybe $100k for a family of 4, by the sea in Cornwall. We live what I would personally consider an extremely luxurious life: a 5 bed house, lots of space, lots of greenery, big skies, amazing seas, and time to look at them
- I work way less than a 40 hour working week. I work with non-profits. I love what I do. It makes me happy.
- I see my kids. I see my wife. I hang out with my friends. I have hobbies. I'm putting aside enough for a pension. No, I won't be able to retire at 50 (I'm 49!), and I'll probably still be doing this in 10 / 15 years' time. But it's fun, thoughtful work that (I hope) isn't going to kill me.
As you've asked - no, we don't give away 50% but we are gifting 10% of profits this year, to see what it means, and will likely be upping this and taking the Effective Altruism pledge next year. It's a small amount, but it feels important and the right thing to do.
I had to look up "tall poppy syndrome" - I'm getting old :-) To respond to this particular criticism - I mean, I guess I'd ask "what is success?" here. I don't know if there's a way of saying this without sounding highly antagonistic or patronising, but for me it's less about criticising those who have found "success" and more that I feel sad for people who think money is everything. It strikes me as the ultimate folly.
And thanks, but I don't feel held back. I feel pretty good. Anyway, It's 10am on a Friday morning and I should go start work ;-)