[sadamznintern]

It’s honestly really funny how a lot of people, even the folks on HN, have no idea how the elites live and how much better their lives are than the rest of us.

People that work at JS (and 5R and 2S and to a lesser extent FB and Google) have their pick of jobs because they are a hot commodity. The rest of us aren’t so lucky because we have no signal to suggest we are brilliant and likely don’t have the intellectual ability to pass similar coding interviews. It’s tough.

[elago]

My life's fine and more importantly I sleep great at night and am proud to tell anyone what I do for work.

I've completely plateaued on the happiness vs money graph and you couldn't pay me enough at this point to take a job in the finance or defense industry.

[sadamznintern]

Sadly I think I"m far from plateued on the happiness vs. money graph right now even while I work on consumer products used my millions around the world. I really don't make enough to live the elite lifestyle these people do at $145k tc.

[elago]

At the risk of being judgemental without knowing you:

1) Are there really that many things you can't do in the world with that salary?

2) Are you choosing a fair group of people to compare yourself with? Yes, you may be at the ABSOLUTE BOTTOM of the top 5%, if you only look at the top 5%. Do you have any non software engineer peers?

[sadamznintern]

>Are there really that many things you can't do in the world with that salary?

I can't save $1.5 million as fast as I want to with this salary (I know people who can live it up and still save $100k a year at Google and trading companies - I'll be lucky to hit $25k max).

>Do you have any non software engineer peers?

Yes. They're all in medical school. The rest I don't really have contact with anymore.

[therealdrag0]

Sounds like you're in a bubble. My gf grew up in Silicon Valley and went to a prestigious engineering school, and all the people she knows are doctors, lawyers, or engineers. But that's a bubble and an unnecessary rat race. She's often worrying that she's not accomplishing enough in life.

I on the other hand, grew up in a tiny rural town, went to the cheapest state school possible, and now make a healthy 6 figure salary at a no-name company. I don't feel the need to compare myself to anyone; but if I do it's with gratitude. I grew up with people who are now farmers and bakers and baristas and minor fiction authors.

You can choose to compare yourself with people above you, or see how far and healthy you are in the grand scheme of things. Of course that's up to you. If you want to dream big, go for it! Just don't come off as whiny, it's annoying to the rest of the 90% that is be low you on the totem pole.

[sadamznintern]

>Sounds like you're in a bubble.

To be honest, I don't think I did. I just want to be a part of the other bubble really, really, really bad.

[icedchai]

What do you need 1.5 million for? Early retirement?

[sadamznintern]

Yes.

[JeremyBanks]

Judging by the rampant drug abuse in the valley, they aren't all finding the happiness peak either.

[sadamznintern]

I dunno, is drug abuse rampant at FB/Google/top startups? I have doubts. People there seem pretty happy (and sidenote, very photogenic) on their instagrams.

[taybin]

They don't post the bad photos onto instagram. You really need to figure this out or you're going to be chasing other people's dreams. All your comments just talk about how you want to make more money, when you're already making a lot of money.

[zootam]

its clear they are seeking external validation and status.

money is only a part of that validation.

[danellis]

What are 5R and 2S?

[jxub]

Probably Rentech and Two Sigma. First one is a guess.

[sur]

I'd guess 5R is Five Rings Capital, not Rentech.

[sadamznintern]

5 Rings and Two Sigma.

[senatorobama]

5R literally not on the same plane. Parent trying to namedrop?!

[sadamznintern]

I mentioned it because I'm pretty sure the parent I was responding to works there...