Comment by keybored

One thing he does is “trying to be Elon” in robotics. (But what impressive things has Elon or his underlings done in in robotics? Or just outside of Spacex?) Because the “world is going through a labor shortage”. So the save the world shtick here is to solve propaganda-problem (fake) of there being a labor shortage, in other words get rid of needing workers. I bet that will change the world for the better in this time of massive inequality.

Then he wants to work for the upcoming US government spearheaded by two billionaire robber barons, one of which made his fortunes by pump and dumping a worthless Alzheimer drug. The other one has a very suspect track record and is a very big government contractor (but for some reason we don’t call people like him oligarchs). “Government is dysfunctional”. So let’s, as billionaires (and financially independent multi-millionaires) take a sledgehammer to government and remake it how we want it to be. Oh boy. And attract all the “smartest” people to this project.[1]

I’m not afraid that some small number of financially independent, Scrooge McDuck ideologue techbros have the power to make the world significantly worse (although it is a bit concerning). I’m also not upset that they don’t plan to do something “philantphtropic” (i.e. main dish of ego-stroking and PR with a side-dish of actual good work). And I’m not upset that they don’t go into something hands-on with a direct positive impact on people’s lives (c.f. “solving the labor shortage”) by volunteering themselves.

I’m just upset that these ideologues just don’t spend their money on one or five yachts, a private plane, their friends/family/entourage, and leave the rest of the world the fuck alone.

[1] “All the brightest minds of my generation who venerate Musk and billionaire-world problems like “labor shortage” are going to work for robber barons in order to dismantle the US goverment...” wait maybe these people are not the brightest lightbulbs after all.