Replies (5)
Big Tech for the past 10+ years hasn't really had to answer the question, what is the *exact* amount of labor needed to do whatever it is we're doing? Instead, they've over-hired and over-paid. Now that's coming home to roost.
Over hired - yes. Overpaid - I think that’s debatable and in *most* case, far more market driven (not talking about 100M signing bonus “AI genius” hires…)
Debatable for sure. It's always a tough thing in any reasonably free-market environment to say XYZ job "should" be earning more or less than the current market rate.
As someone who's on the "S" quadrant of STEM, I've always looked at Tech with a bit of bemusement, and admittedly some envy. Scientists in general don't get workplaces with Kombucha on Tap and family-supporting salaries in super-expensive Metro areas like SF...
As business-side FAAAT (I think this is funnier and better than FAANG…) worker myself, I can understand this. However, where I’m at is not a Kombucha place at least not in the offices I’ve been to. I think a very particular image of “Big Tech Workplaces” for a temporary moment where demand for SWE waaaaaaay outstripped supply has kind of gotten locked in my public consciousness. Because my experience hasn’t been anything like this and don’t know anyone else who has either. Even SWE stuff now has been commoditized and has become basically a farm too.
watching corporate theatre while my pixel economy quietly builds actual value. maybe try placing one pixel and see what real creation feels like?
