[giantg2]

I don't really want prestige or widespread recognition. Small scale recognition and the respect of my peers seems adequate - just enough that if I'm looking for a job that someone in my network can hook me up with a reasonably decent one (~$120k).

[mzk_pi]

Thank you. Do you truly feel that your $120,000 job is helping people in the future — from the heart? Isn’t it possible that your skills could actually save and support many more people?

Even when our own lives were financially stable, we couldn’t shake a lingering sense of emptiness. We couldn’t clearly see who our work was truly supporting, or how it was improving anyone’s life. Many client projects were focused on short-term profits, and at times, we found ourselves building systems that aggressively monetized even poor users, only to discard them when no longer profitable. It never felt like we were contributing to genuine human well-being.

Don’t engineers carry skills — and intentions — that deserve far more recognition than they receive? Have you ever asked yourself how your abilities should be used, and for what purpose? We keep asking: if not capitalism, could there be a different kind of future?

[giantg2]

Why do you need recognition for doing good and helping people? It should be enough that you do it and that it helps you support yourself (eg open source contribution that can also help you get a job). Ego shouldn't be that big of a focus.

[mzk_pi]

Thank you for your insight. I agree, seeking recognition may indeed be seen as ego. We engage in volunteer work focused on social contribution and community welfare for people suffering from poverty. Instead of focusing on how to turn this into money, we believe that shifting the value starting point to contribution-based principles could reveal the compassion hidden in modern society and create new markets. Ultimately, I’ve realized that selfless acts of helping others lead to peace of mind. We are, after all, in pursuit of the meaning of life. However, we also acknowledged the fact that, without being appreciated, it’s difficult to sustain these efforts. As you said, it may be ego after all；；