[Nevermark]

> Note I could've said "when I discovered XYZ mathematical principle" but I didn't because they're both equally as arbitrary

Wow. I cannot relate to someone who only (mostly) view's their own accomplishments as bargaining chips for money/prestige. Even accomplishments that could have widespread benefit to others.

But I accept productive people can operate in different ways.

[almostgotcaught]

> Even accomplishments that could have widespread benefit to others.

Which ones would those be? The ones where you optimized some process so your company could make 10MM more annually? I'm not a doctor/teacher/public defender. I write code that my company sells. I'm not benefitting anyone except myself and my company.

[Nevermark]

> discovered XYZ mathematical principle

As I noted, I wasn't critiquing you.

> I'm not benefitting anyone except myself and my company.

I don't know what you do, and all good work should be rewarded, but in most work third parties, such as customers or others benefit from work well done.

But I strongly share your opinion that good work should be matched with proportional compensation.

I had a similar problem. I was compensated well for what I could achieve, as a partner to a company, but after many good years, asymptotically prevented from achieving anything. The irony of being bought out of a contract for a price that reflected how much I could no longer achieve in those circumstances wasn't lost on me.