The Gods on Hacker News (2020)

Yes, I feel this too. I work with some of these "gods" and try to keep a sense of perspective about the quantum step function differences between us.

I bought a new car last year and that was a huge personal achievement being able to use savings and not destroy my risk fund to get a small Hyundai i30 I am delighted with. TWO of my FAANG contacts have the dilemma of which of their respective pair of Tesla to drive today and one discusses co owning an island in the river by his property. Each Tesla costs 4x my Hyundai. I'm only envious within limits about not being EV and suspect the build quality in my sub compact may be higher!

I have to remind myself I am in the top 2% of my economy and people worldwide survive an entire year on my monthly disposable income. I am unquestionably privileged. Never unemployed since graduation, 40 year career, much travel.

If your side gig is cash positive sustainable you have done very well. Be proud, it's hard.

This isn't a humblebrag. I wouldn't reject having more income/asset, even while I plan on moving out to having less. The point here is that the sense of perspective has to anchor either to the norm, or the extreme. I suggest the context here is to anchor to the norm. Anchored to the norm, I'm well off and content. Anchored to this "god" extreme I'd be very dissatisfied with my choices.

In the end it's not the amount of money you make, but the freedom you have while making that money and the freedom it buys you. I run a subscription service that requires little handholding, it generates enough to enjoy the winter months comfortably in Spain and spent the summer back in my home country. The business runs on autopilot while I can hike in the mountains or enjoy a beer with my wife at the local Chiringuito. Some will laugh at my MRR but I wouldn't switch for a high paying desk job in a million years.