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Manomanman · 06-29-2009, 05:50 PM

For about 3 years now, I've seen two divergent paths (kind of like two equal paths described by Robert Frost) forming in my life.

One is to help people using my knowledge of psychology, especially people struggling in the business world. After reading "E Myth", I realized that there are a lot of people out there who just need help. I find this to be a meaningful thing to do, as I have an innate drive to "clean things up" that are "wrong". I feel that by teaching people how to master their thinking about their businesses, I will be mopping up some nasty stupidity in this world.

On the other hand, I started graduate school 5 years ago because I have a Star-Trek like motivation to explore and discover what is not known to mankind. I discovered within 3 years that the academic institutions of the world are not equipped for this task - they are gargantuan money sinks designed to maintain the status-quo. They are political idea-fronts. What I really want to do is move into researching neuro-technology in order to develop the kind of cybernetic systems you might find in an artificial organism like Data. I am hoping that with about 30-40 years of research and technological development, such AI would be possible.

Both paths are meaningful to me. The whole, "Provide value to others" is a daily self-esteem boost, and is very fulfilling. It's also profitable. The whole, "Create amazing new technology" is exactly like Dr. Noonien Soong portrays it to be: way too much time spent melding my mind with my creations that nobody but me really understands...creations that will radically alter our concept of intelligence and way of living (see Animatrix).

The contribution of the first option is that the nature of the "business game" will change in the world - as businesses become more efficient by mastering psychology, the world will end up in a higher state of energy overall, there will be fewer wars, mankind will evolve, etc. etc. The contribution of the second option is very much the same - there is some chance that we will enter a new era of mankind, but the most important thing is that our scientific knowledge of human intelligence and what is possible through AI will be radically enhanced. Both contributions are long-term, helpful, and they both lead to mankind evolving on a massive scale.

For me, both of these paths are borne of love, and they are about seeking truth. But I'm not sure how meaningful I will perceive either path to be in 1, 2, 10, 20 years down the road. My brother suggested that I start businesses, try to make billions on them, and then use the money like Batman to fund my research. I don't know that I'll be living that long though...

I prettymuch have to choose one and start working within the next month, because that will give me a year to prep as I leave grad school. I am making my first blog right now, so I'll have more data to know whether the "helping others" is really fulfilling, but I don't have a ton of experience with it.

What are some strategies to tease out this massive decision I have to make? And what are your opinions?

06-29-2009, 05:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Manomanman Family Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,052	Make money or invent new technology? For about 3 years now, I've seen two divergent paths (kind of like two equal paths described by Robert Frost) forming in my life. One is to help people using my knowledge of psychology, especially people struggling in the business world. After reading "E Myth", I realized that there are a lot of people out there who just need help. I find this to be a meaningful thing to do, as I have an innate drive to "clean things up" that are "wrong". I feel that by teaching people how to master their thinking about their businesses, I will be mopping up some nasty stupidity in this world. On the other hand, I started graduate school 5 years ago because I have a Star-Trek like motivation to explore and discover what is not known to mankind. I discovered within 3 years that the academic institutions of the world are not equipped for this task - they are gargantuan money sinks designed to maintain the status-quo. They are political idea-fronts. What I really want to do is move into researching neuro-technology in order to develop the kind of cybernetic systems you might find in an artificial organism like Data. I am hoping that with about 30-40 years of research and technological development, such AI would be possible. Both paths are meaningful to me. The whole, "Provide value to others" is a daily self-esteem boost, and is very fulfilling. It's also profitable. The whole, "Create amazing new technology" is exactly like Dr. Noonien Soong portrays it to be: way too much time spent melding my mind with my creations that nobody but me really understands...creations that will radically alter our concept of intelligence and way of living (see Animatrix). The contribution of the first option is that the nature of the "business game" will change in the world - as businesses become more efficient by mastering psychology, the world will end up in a higher state of energy overall, there will be fewer wars, mankind will evolve, etc. etc. The contribution of the second option is very much the same - there is some chance that we will enter a new era of mankind, but the most important thing is that our scientific knowledge of human intelligence and what is possible through AI will be radically enhanced. Both contributions are long-term, helpful, and they both lead to mankind evolving on a massive scale. For me, both of these paths are borne of love, and they are about seeking truth. But I'm not sure how meaningful I will perceive either path to be in 1, 2, 10, 20 years down the road. My brother suggested that I start businesses, try to make billions on them, and then use the money like Batman to fund my research. I don't know that I'll be living that long though... I prettymuch have to choose one and start working within the next month, because that will give me a year to prep as I leave grad school. I am making my first blog right now, so I'll have more data to know whether the "helping others" is really fulfilling, but I don't have a ton of experience with it. What are some strategies to tease out this massive decision I have to make? And what are your opinions? Last edited by Manomanman; 06-29-2009 at 05:58 PM.