> The unfortunate part about thinking about problems is it that problems are relative - i.e. they are problems only relative to a context. Nobody even in the tech world has a clue how solving a simple problem just to satisfy some intellectual curiosity can affect life on the planet. What meaning does Wiles' proof of Fermat's last theorem have on the part of the world that's sleeping hungry every night?
Like the city you live in right now?
> Folks like Musk are an inspiration indeed for boldly thinking at the high level they do and seeing it through.
"Folks like Musk" are smart enough to know that the progress of humanity, the great and meaningful leaps of technology to strive for, are accomplished by people solving those hard problems under a common banner.
A consequence you've evidently yet to learn, or are afraid to realize.
> "Folks like Musk" are smart enough to know that the progress of humanity, the great and meaningful leaps of technology to strive for, are accomplished by people solving those hard problems under a common banner.
That's an interesting aspect of their work you point out. It made me think about describing my "banner" and add it to my HN profile.
It would be cool if we can all identify such "banners" under which we work in our HN profiles. Note that the banner doesn't have to be a technological breakthrough. In my case, for example, I wish for cultural impact.
Though true, the "banners" aren't always obvious. Some folks may have a complementary mission. The golang authors are perhaps not directly working to "organize the world's information", for instance and their banner would read "making it easy to build simple, reliable, and efficient software".
It is still, a nice exercise to do it though ... and I might turn mine into an LLC anyway :)
Like the city you live in right now?
> Folks like Musk are an inspiration indeed for boldly thinking at the high level they do and seeing it through.
"Folks like Musk" are smart enough to know that the progress of humanity, the great and meaningful leaps of technology to strive for, are accomplished by people solving those hard problems under a common banner.
A consequence you've evidently yet to learn, or are afraid to realize.