[xupybd]

I worry that the author isn't seeing the possible impact they can have by doing work that is driven by making money. Yes, the work itself might not lead to the changes in society they want but climbing that ladder can give them the money, power and influence to really make an impact.

Money is only a means to an end.

That said the amount of dishonest scammy behavior around the crypto world is terrible. You don't want to be part of that. You still have to make an honest living to make the world a better place.

[michaelt]

> climbing that ladder can give them the money, power and influence to really make an impact.

Have you tried converting money into power and influence lately? The exchange rate is terrible.

The bay area has hundreds of thousands of STEM millionaires. Does the politics look like they're having a lot of impact?

Admittedly, engineers might not have any particular advantage when dealing with issues like drug addiction - but you'd expect things like water infrastructure, new homes and construction of high speed rail would be well in hand.

[xupybd]

> The bay area has hundreds of thousands of STEM millionaires. Does the politics look like they're having a lot of impact?

No, I suspect most of these millionaires are not doing much to help their communities. This is my point, there are few people with power and influence that are working for good. It would be great if more people established themselves and then started working to better the world.

Unfortunately it's like politics. The people you want in power don't want the power. The people you want to have money and influence tend to avoid it.

[kaoD]

The chances of making enough money to be able to make an impact are much slimmer than actually making a direct impact even if it means a less lucrative career path.