Comment by insane_dreamer

> If you give your employees this freedom, many will take advantage of it and do nothing.

This is 1) untrue, and 2) exactly the kind of cynical "humans-are-untrustworthy" thinking that is one of the reasons why Bell Labs don't exist today.

> After all, why wouldn't they? If they're putting in the innovation the equity is worth way more than a paycheck.

Because not everyone is driven by a need to make tons of money or the promise of a golden pot at the end of the rainbow. If they're well compensated and have enough to live comfortably (and/or care for their family) while being able to use their talents and innovate within their field, that itself is sufficient. This perverted VC-fueled mantra of "I must continually maximize the amount of money I make from my efforts at the expense of all else" is also part of the reason we don't have Bell Labs today.

> it's been nearly impossible to hire anyone who wants that freedom and autonomy (if you disagree ...)

I'm one of those people, but given the thinking that you articulate in your post, I'm not surprised you're unable to hire such people.