simpixelated

Makes a lot of sense and I don't disagree. They're definitely not a return to the web and I probably misrepresented them that way in my post. I was mostly using them as examples of existing platforms where you can find content without being subjected to the algorithm's suggestions, if you choose to use the "following" or "subscribed" features instead of "Discover" or "For You".

At some point you have to stop exploring and actually consume what you've collected. I think that's one psychological trick of infinite scroll feeds... our minds naturally want to see what's next. Personally, I spend more time searching and saving things to my various lists instead of actually watching or reading what I've saved.

Exactly. Also, this _world_ is about money, dude.

I agree with this. The titles of Staff and Principal, generally, include some responsibility for teaching others (writing articles is one of many good methods for this) and helping to recruit people to your team through external marketing.

How do you get new contacts that you can pitch in a single email? Is it organic newsletter signups or something else?

I agree with this and similar posts suggesting they find local non-profits. There's probably no perfect answer to what's most "efficient" and I think that's probably the wrong way to look at it. As a single, non-billionaire, there's only so much you can do to help others. But, you will get much more satisfaction from seeing "first-hand" the "effect of your actions". Sending your money to some faceless global charity is not going to be as rewarding and will make it a lot easier to stop doing.

Good answer. I'll add that as a middle manager, it's your job to take a large umbrella strategy and break it down into actionable terms for your team. I think this is the root of the OPs problem. These meetings are for disseminating a goal/strategy that is set near the top of the organization. It has to be broad and generic in order for different groups to enact. It's up to the management of each team (whether its sales or engineering) to translate the company goals into specific goals for the team that are understandable.

I think this form of imposter syndrome is fairly common. I feel the same way, quite often. I no longer feel like I don't belong because I'm not smart or skilled enough, but that I'm not passionate enough to keep my skills as sharp.

One thought that helps me deal with it, is that every company/team needs people like us. If everyone on the team is obsessed with the work, then it starts to create bad habits of overwork that will further alienate new people. So just by being less interested, we're helping normalize separating work from life, taking things slower, and hopefully preventing the whole team from burning out.

The capitalist machines do indeed grind up most attempts at simply helping humanity; I don't think that's unique to tech. So I doubt you'll find solace by simply quitting tech entirely. Also, be aware that your contributions are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, would have happened with or without you, and will not be solved if you quit the game. The problems are systemic, global, and ultimately controlled by corporations. You should not feel guilty for being forced into playing by the rules of capitalism.

I would suggest two options:

A) Try to make as much money as you can and use that money to help humanity. We are all extremely lucky to be in tech at this time, when compensation is massively higher than most other jobs. You could leverage your ability to make money and then donate that money to charities you believe in.

B) Find companies who have missions you actually agree with. While these are rare and don't always pay as well, they do exist. There are non-profits (and for profits) trying to solve homelessness, world hunger, inequality, discrimination, climate change, etc. Every type of company needs software developers. You just might have to take a paycut.

Good luck!

Yet another reminder to always negotiate.

That's probably part of it, but I think the root is that a college campus is designed for people to use it without cars. Food, stores, classrooms, places to sit and meet are all built in and connected via walkways. Cars become unnecessary once you get to campus

Some of the best advice I've ever heard regarding this is that you don't have to be an expert, you just have to know a little bit more than someone else. So take whatever you've recently learned, write it up, package and sell that. People tend to overestimate the level of knowledge required to sell advice. People pay for beginner level courses all the time.