I don’t relate at all.
I grew up poor, tech was a way to survive, not the path to a “woo woo socialist utopia”[0] a la Star Trek. Why would anyone think it would be? Tech isn’t special it’s just a tool. Tech didn’t fail, the political apparatus did.
Making yourself small and giving up your power to make a large scale impact is akin to wizards burning their spell books to focus on their dagger collections. Sure it might bring them joy, but they’re going to be doing 1d4-1 damage for the foreseeable future. And that’s if they ever even land a hit.
Tech is neither good nor bad. And, the demonization of tech and tech workers is at best unproductive, and, at worst will cause the conscientious to self-select out of tech.
People are free to do whatever they want but I wish we were giving people positive reasons to be in and in love with tech instead of trotting out trite jokes about <insert tech villain of the week> and showing nothing but surrender.
I’ve been burned out since 2013 but I don’t have the luxury of walking away or even taking a break. Even if I was rich I’d keep going because a) it’s what I love and b) unless you all want to elect me king it’s going to be the best way for me to make an impact in 2025.
I wish Jacob all the best.
Anyway, I’m going to quit swimming because teaching people to swim has increased the number of potential recreational drownings.
[0]: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02E03. “Tell the Louvre to get off my back!” God, I love Carol Kane.
Also, in universe, Star Trek’s socialist utopia only came about after a period of inequality, instability, science run amok, tyranny, and war. So, we’re on track!