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Comment by geoffmanning | Hacker News Reader

It makes me sad to hear this kind of argument. While i agree with the idea that a job shouldn't define someone, to completely write off 40 hours a week (arguably our most productive hours) as simply selling your time without taking pride and joy in that time sounds like a pretty bad deal to me, but it makes sense that anyone that has that perspective would consider anyone that happily works for others as a "happy go lucky robot". I hope that you either start your own endeavor that others may one day be "happy go lucky robots" for or that you find a job that you find real pride and joy in the part you play.

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let's make a thought experiment, if you make X amount of money and you were given this amount every month for rest of your life and could do whatever you wanted, would you still keep going to your current place of employment for 40+hours a week?

and if so, what % of people in the world you think would say the same?

of course I was writing in generalities in my previous post, I'm not commenting on the odd neurosurgeon or astronaut who realized their childhood dreams, let's be real here

and yeah, if I ever have "employees" it will be on partner to partner basis with sharing risk and profit, I don't dream of subjugating other human beings for my benefit while keeping them in the dark and scheming, which to be honest is what most companies do...

That's not a useful thought experiment because it doesn't reflect reality, and on the other side, this isn't about the "odd neurosurgeon or astronaut". I'm either an accidental unicorn that rarely ever tried to find fulfillment or it's quite possible with very little friction to get a job that you'll find fulfilling. I completely agree that many (maybe even most) companies suck, but it feels like you're projecting that on others by using blanket statements rather than recognizing that it just depends on the company, and it's very possible to find opportunities at companies that don't suck and do feel fulfilling. I just want others on this thread to understand that it's very possible to work for other companies and feel very fulfilled and proud of the work they do, and it's not a unicorn, there are a lot of opportunities if you're willing to put forth the effort.

For benefit of others I'm willing to entertain the thought of worthwhile companies existing out there. Its not my goal to discourage anyone seeking fulfillment in their job, just be aware its ok if its just a thing most of us do to put food on the table, there are other more important things in life!

My experience is by fair amount on the opposite spectrum. I worked with a few small to medium sized companies, seen things and know _some_ companies thrive on their employees not understanding how personal income, corporate, dividend tax and write offs work not to mention other gray areas or outright shady practices.

Most people didn't experience what happens during mass layoffs caused by mismanagement, talk about owners and management taking on the business risk, until they don't...

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