99.99% of people who read this article are not going to start the next Google. Being a successful entrepreneur requires an incredible amount of luck, timing, skill, and risk taking.
If you choose that path, great, but that in no way devalues the skill building, network building, and predictable income of working for someone else.
I also disagree about the incredible qualities entrepreneurs need and hardships they have to endure. Many incredible businesses are just good product + good distribution. Many kids think starting a startup is practically impossible, and pg correctly points out that it isn’t.
Starting is trivial. Succeeding is in fact practically impossible.
Paul's leaving a significant fraction of the intended audience on the table here IMO: teens who are resistant to being told what to do and how to do it. :)
> But you will avoid many of the annoying things
> that come with a job, including a boss telling
> you what to do.
All the money and power in the world keeps consolidating upwards with the people closer to the apex of the pyramid deluding others that consistent climbing will help others reach there.
A tale as old as time, but due to exponential growth of tech playing out much faster.
There are certain people that deeply desire this and that understand their chances of success are low. Nevertheless, these people want to try and find encouragement in these types of essays.
You don't need to be upset that this isn't for you. There are all sorts of shapes of people in the world. We benefit by having curious people at all strata of society, exploring various sorts of ideas and problems. It keeps us from deadlock.
The person you're responding to does not seem upset to me.
You add an interesting perspective that some people want to find encouragement in these types of essays. And the personal jab just isn't necessary.
I don't think we're reading this the same.
To quote OP,
>> I was distracted by the generally smug tone of it.
The definition of "smug":
> smug /sməɡ/ adjective. having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements.
> contentedly confident of one's ability, superiority, or correctness; complacent.
This is why I responded. If you don't like the tone of the article, you don't need to suggest that the author has a superiority complex.
> And the personal jab just isn't necessary.
"smug" is a personal jab. I didn't make one.