I can think of lots of people that would make society better if they would do that instead of what they are doing now.

Nah, it's just a small-scale form of wealth redistribution. The poster takes themselves out of the job market (making way for someone else), and then goes and spends their IPO money at a favourable exchange rate overseas. Literally everyone wins (versus the poster hoarding money and holding a lucrative job).

Sure. If everyone became software engineers then we'd have 8 billion IT staff and zero food production, which would lead to the extinction of human race by mass hunger.

I'm not sure what's exactly your point besides "if everyone does exactly the same thing, then society collapses".

You're not less cynical here

Progress towards what? Do you think "progress" as conceived by sillicon valley billionaires aligns with the type of life you would like?

There's a non-trivial chance "working hard" as defined by the modern ethos is doing more damage than good.

It’s not cynical, but it is overly consumerist.

I cannot imagine having untold amounts of money only to do nothing afterwards except consume the stuff put in front of you.