Conversation

Andy Matuschak
@andy_matuschak
This question's gauche, but: given the prevalence of $400k++ comp packages for ~30-year-olds in Big Tech, why aren't there lots more "gentle[wo]man scholars"? i.e. people quitting to do non-remunerative creative projects I can think of some, but shouldn't there be thousands?
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Patrick McKenzie
@patio11
Due to social circumstances, one is unlikely to hear of someone who has taken this option and one is unlikely to hear someone who has taken this option describe it in these terms.
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Patrick McKenzie
@patio11
"I am an angel investor" is a socially legible occupation in Silicon Valley which allows one to retain connections in industry and be seen as a productive member of society." "I am independently wealthy" and "I don't actually work for a living." are worse ways to say that.
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