I was parroting a classic quote [0], but you are right: my statement was needlessly cynical. To rephrase, I'd say an enormous proportion of the smartest humans alive are involved in zero-sum redistribution games that offer no socially useful outcomes. The costs of being poor and the rewards of being wealthy are each so enormous in our world that I can't blame them.
Without entering into an argument over the definition of smart, I understand what you're getting at. The top graduates of the top schools empty into finance, big law, medicine, and now big tech. Though it gives me some hope that startups are starting to get their share of talent too, now that companies like YC or VFA are basically throwing money at it.
Comments
I was parroting a classic quote [0], but you are right: my statement was needlessly cynical. To rephrase, I'd say an enormous proportion of the smartest humans alive are involved in zero-sum redistribution games that offer no socially useful outcomes. The costs of being poor and the rewards of being wealthy are each so enormous in our world that I can't blame them.
[0] https://www.fastcompany.com/3008436/why-data-god-jeffrey-ham...
Without entering into an argument over the definition of smart, I understand what you're getting at. The top graduates of the top schools empty into finance, big law, medicine, and now big tech. Though it gives me some hope that startups are starting to get their share of talent too, now that companies like YC or VFA are basically throwing money at it.