That sounds like an absolutely horrible way to spend five years. I cannot imagine being you, living in the time of technological empowerment, immediately before the time of atmospheric-carbon induced catastrophe, and having no goal or direction of how to spend my immensely valuable life force. I could absolutely not live with myself.
Funny you should say that - when I first started doing this I tried to get some of my friends to join me. They all fell apart from the lack of structure and went back to their old jobs. And that's not to say it was a moral failing on their part - I don't think everyone is wired to do this sort of thing, maybe even most people.
I'm also not saying that I wasted all of my time or that I did nothing of value - just that it has taken real effort to figure out what I value. I think the existential crises I've come through have been really important for my growth, and I wouldn't have had to think about it had I not had to direct my time myself.
I suppose everyone has existential crisis at different points in their lives. When I was younger I became obsessed with global warming and the danger it presented. Sometimes I forget not everyone has had that crisis; hopefully you found the purpose or direction that you deeply identify with.
I'm just deeply bothered by the amount of tech talent we have that works on, frankly, dumb things. We face real, tangible problems and existential risks in the next 1 - 5 decades that will not just "solve themselves". So here I am, looking at these massive problems, while all us rich web developers tell ourselves "it won't happen in my generation". It's really bothersome.
Is working 40 hours a week for an employer worth it
Yes so long as that employer is really changing the face of technology or changing the economic forcing functions that drive the activities of humanity
No if it's twitter or the government
Yes if you plan to start a company but don't have enough runway, so you can accumulate runway at your job
No if you have greater than $50,000 USD in cash and want to start a company
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