I can’t go not-earnest on this one, it runs too deep. The cynical rogue has to show up for his friends in the end
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How often do people actually turn to you for this. I’ve successfully conditioned people to not expect it of me 👹
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It varies a lot, seems almost seasonal, and correlated with this sort of content. On an average week maybe 2-3 people or so with mild cases. But it’s the big cases that change everything. Eg acquaintance runs from home bc abusive dad, need place, now lifelong friend. 1x/yr...?
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Ah yes that kind of material support I’m usually available for if I’m able
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I’ve seen you 20 comments deep with young angry nerds, your aloofness doesn’t fool me 😍
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vgr mostly consults these days, right? If he's one of the good ones then he's fundamentally empathetic
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You’re thinking of therapy and life coaching there. Empathy is often a liability in consulting that you have to actively suppress.
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Is a monetary thing for you in that case? It seems like you, specifically, wouldn't have to do that kind of work (taking on someone else's problems) unless you wanted to.
Though, I am assuming about 50 things about your life in this tweet.
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I look for and take on interesting and stimulating problems working with interesting people I get along with. I make as much money from it as I need to. It’s not complicated. It’s like any job you can enjoy, not sainthood.
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Occurring to me that you probably have some sort of anti-sainthood immune system that I’ve never particularly felt a need to develop
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Oh indeed. Critical mental hygiene habit, resisting saintliness.
Where I’m from, the saints are powerless and it’s the technocrats and optimisers who are to be resisted


