Conversation

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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Rob Cobb

@robcobbable

Jan 28

Getting to those spots means high conformity. "Don't be weird" in order to pass the competetive filters. If none of their friends are doing it, then it doesn't present itself as a choice, so no one does it. imo

@bryan_caplan

is the best read on conformity

econlib.org

Status Quo Bias and Conformity Signaling - Econlib

All societies reward conformity. Yes, there’s often a sweet niche for eccentric geniuses. But everyone else faces a stark trade-off: the more you want to succeed, the more you have to submit to...

Rob Cobb

@robcobbable

Jan 28

This suggests that "normalize being an independent researcher" has legs, in terms of strategies for changing the status quo. Brag more about how much better patreon is than tenure track!

Replying to

and

I suspect Patreon is worse than tenure track for many people! But "work in Big Tech until 30 and then support yourself" sounds possibly better…

6:51 PM · Jan 28, 2022Twitter Web App

Replying to

and

Maybe conformity is malleable, or it's a available to the very smart. For context: my somewhat-cold-hearted read is that getting into and lasting in Big Tech requires a (high!) mix of conformity and intelligence. _maybe_ folks can step off the treadmill, but I sorta doubt it!