[kelnos]

I think this is a form of selection bias. We hear about -- and rage about -- the people you describe here because it's news, and it's outrageous.

But there are lots of people with a sincere mission who we don't hear about, because they're quietly working toward their goals.

That doesn't say that their goals are worthwhile or that what they're doing is actually good for the world, but they can still sincerely believe it is.

Most of them fail, and we hear about precious few of them. That doesn't make them any less sincere either.

[pphysch]

Sure, this isn't a rigorous study. But it's clear that American society is in decay (specifically: education, science, healthcare, democracy) and meanwhile SV has been busily innovating in adtech/surveillance, miltech, fintech, porn, gambling, recreational drugs, addictive media, disruptive automation... Not that all those are the same type of vice but it's clear where SV priorities lie.