We've had plenty of insights on what Altman is thinking from one of the people who spent lots of time at his side and know him best: pg.
Lots of pg tweets/comments over the years about how the thing Sam is best at, and what drives him the most, is climbing up ladders and acquiring power.
Lots of pg tweets/comments over the years about how the thing Sam is best at, and what drives him the most, is climbing up ladders and acquiring power.