Reading05

The success of modern hackers such as Paul Graham says that our present society and its future is people will hope to get rich by creating the ‘next big thing’. By doing so, it seems that many young adults will work extremely hard during their twenties and then when everyone is in their thirties they’ll party and eventually settle down in their forties. It seems that if people get rich now then that pushes off all of the work that had to be done over thirty years and they’ll just have more time to do all of the things (travel, SLEEP, hobbies, not work on projects, or homework assignments, or study for tests, etc.).

I don’t think our society and culture should encourage risk taking and starting businesses because I think it could lead to a tremendous amount of people taking risk after risk and failing. Like I get that people will create start ups and become rich, but I don’t think it should be as encouraged as a way to be successful. I also am going in a really different way of life where money is not a ‘goal’ for me at the moment so it’s really hard for me to see that as a motivation. Like if someone gave me a million dollars I would pay my loans and donate most of it… Yeah. I would rather start a non-profit and help the world in a different way. I am not saying that people who are rich / start businesses don’t help the world, but I think it would be really difficult for me to do so in that way!!

Also, Paul Graham’s justification of income inequality is interesting. I feel like first, the rich are just average people so why does it have to be bad that that’s how these people want to live. I feel like now many people have learned to value experiences which is something that was not necessarily an opportunity available a hundred years ago. Like I would rather travel and learn about various cultures than have servants or material items. So, although rich people may seem like they live like an ‘average’ person it could be that they enjoy spending their money on different things than people a hundred years ago.

I think the next big thing is something with education, so I’m assuming web or an app. I think by providing education to people or even helping the education system is what people will want to invest in. I feel like this could go two ways: really well and help developing countries, or take a turn and increase the competitiveness in having our children excel at a young age. I definitely think this could be of use for people with disabilities. I met a little girl who loved learning with a program that was specific for children with dyslexia because that allowed her to learn and move forward. I also just reread this paragraph and realized I have so much hope for our society…

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