I used to think it'd be irresponsible and reckless to leave my high-paying tech job and start over from scratch to do something more impactful. I think about it differently now: I have the network and skillset to effect change, and the financial cushion to take on risk. If I have all that going for me and I'm still too scared to take the leap, who exactly am I expecting to do it instead?
I think there's one more consideration for ladder climbers: if you've spent your whole adult life at elite institutions and prestigious corporate jobs, that can become a part of how you define yourself and your self-worth. It's hard to leave that behind for a non-profit or startup that doesn't give you the same validation. It feels like there's not nearly as much scope to have an "impressive" job while doing something meaningful.
For what it's worth- I work on carbon capture now, make a fraction of what I used to, and often wonder if I've made the right choice. This genuinely helped me remember why I'm doing it, so thank you!
Love to hear it! glad you're feeling good about where you are now. It's always great to hear success stories like yours. It's as you said, if not you, then who? You're showing lots of other people who are on the fence that it's possible.
I am not an elite because I became disillusioned with the prospects of the path before amassing enough wealth.
I took my savings and decided to try to build my own financial freedom with the goal of owning my time and being able to use my capabilities without optimizing for profit.
But I haven’t made it yet. Savings run out. I don’t have the material security of the elites. And despite feeling a burning desire to use my capabilities for the betterment of the world, I’m trapped in the need to “make it” first.
I wonder every day if I should have waited and compromised until becoming elite. I wonder if I should re-enter the ladder and try again later on.
“And despite feeling a burning desire to use my capabilities for the betterment of the world, I’m trapped in the need to “make it” first.
I wonder every day if I should have waited and compromised until becoming elite.” - This exactly how I feel too. Just wanted to say it was super resonating.
But you are so brave that you took a leap without having financial security of the ‘Elites’. I honestly don’t know the answer to this dilemma except to owning my decision despite the result. Yet I find myself circling back to the default path. I don’t think I am an Elite maybe on the cusp of being the disaffected youth if anything, but still this essay helps articulate my years of inner battle. Hopefully we find more clarity as we go and find meaning or maybe peace in at least trying!
That is the question. I think the answer already exists within each person. You just have to ask yourself, what opportunities did I wish I would have had, or which ones did I have that others did not, and what would it look like if I could provide that for them? Your journey already tells you exactly what you should do.
Great article. Really enjoyed reading it as a (semi? somewhat?) elite.
I think one of the things preventing people from exiting is the milieu. I moved to Minneapolis from SF a few years ago, post startup burnout, and I found that taking the cost of living pressure off was huge. I also had a social group that did not care about what I was doing or how much I was making.
This space led to me joining a local arts non-profit as board chair, where I used the skills I gained working in product and applied them to fixing the group's finances. That experience was so inspiring that I'm in the process of navigating a bigger career shift out of venture backed tech.
I don't think the answer is "Everyone should move to the Midwest!". Arguably, I've found my way because I've failed at parts of the elite path you're highlighting. But I think finding ways to increase exposure to other ways of life is crucial, as well as building a society that doesn't require such a high burn to live.
That’s inspiring. I agree, SF innovation is cool, SF tech culture has become (mostly) uncool. Kudos to you for applying your skills and realizing where you can make a big impact. Many people never get there.
Incredible read. Sometimes you read something and realize immediately that you’ll never forget reading it: this is that.
I want to double-click on the part about needing more visibility / sharing of examples of how “elites” are trying to do better; I feel called out, but unsure of how or where to apply my skills & resources…
Regardless, I can tell this is going to sit with me for a very long time and I’m just hopeful I can DO something different and not just file this in the “interesting” folder!
Thank you for an excellent read, Edan. I wish there were more role models really. I've read essays of VCs that tempted to ask the same question, but they can't resist the mechanism of the industry they are in. I am always surprised by how few elites chose to go into politics, even local politics, as that is a more visible way to better lives of the people around you.
Spent the last week at MIT with my classmates, and you have done a brilliant job of saying exactly what I have been unable to articulate effectively. Thank you. I’ll be sharing this, and hope to start a discussion about what we can all do differently and better.
Such an excellent essay Edan, thanks for taking the time to write it. Giving dollars a worthwhile job is so important, and hoarding them in a bank account is not the way!
This is awesome. I believe you’ve struck a wonderful tone for this purpose, I found this eminently readable even though I am living (currently) as a non-contributing elite as described. Gonna noodle on this with my partner….thank you!
This essay is magnificent. Bravo! I find many of my elite peers are interested bystanders but no longer stakeholders in critical pillars of democracy. Public ed being the most obvious. We are in a dangerous collapse of systems with no clear path forward. Inert elites are facilitating an unrecognizable and possibly terrifying outcome by hiding from their potential contributions to a truly shared future.
Thanks Lorelei. I agree, I'm trying to figure out how to make it easier for elites to access problems that need their help. lmk if you have thoughts on how.
Absolutely most important activity this year is getting us through elections 2026 in a safe, secure and successful way. There's a network forming across the USA...I attended an event yesterday addressing about how your/our community can begin to plan for collective action related to the election: Sarah Cooper, The Carter Center Michael McNulty, Issue One Larry Garber, Election Crisis Task Force. There are others, too. I'm working on a list. It is all about local resilience and prevention starting now. Convening, workshopping and training are also vital i.e. organizing a discussion about the National guard, use of force, Rule of Law, election administration etc. Connecting to Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, youth leagues, LWV, FFA, so people know each other and the bright lines of our Constitution. Creating local fellowships with community colleges to connect with local government. like Documenters project (City Bureau, Chicago) or a Maker space fellowship where a local young person helps the member of Congress learn about new forms of civic technology. (I'm a Congress nerd, so this is my area of expertise) I've set up numerous fellowships in Congress to do public good work. Our institutions are hollowed out and derelict...so giving them capacity is key. This can happen everywhere. I've written alot on this. connect with me on linkedin.
I'm thinking of so many people right now who should read this
This is the best thing I've read in a long time!
I used to think it'd be irresponsible and reckless to leave my high-paying tech job and start over from scratch to do something more impactful. I think about it differently now: I have the network and skillset to effect change, and the financial cushion to take on risk. If I have all that going for me and I'm still too scared to take the leap, who exactly am I expecting to do it instead?
I think there's one more consideration for ladder climbers: if you've spent your whole adult life at elite institutions and prestigious corporate jobs, that can become a part of how you define yourself and your self-worth. It's hard to leave that behind for a non-profit or startup that doesn't give you the same validation. It feels like there's not nearly as much scope to have an "impressive" job while doing something meaningful.
For what it's worth- I work on carbon capture now, make a fraction of what I used to, and often wonder if I've made the right choice. This genuinely helped me remember why I'm doing it, so thank you!
Love to hear it! glad you're feeling good about where you are now. It's always great to hear success stories like yours. It's as you said, if not you, then who? You're showing lots of other people who are on the fence that it's possible.
I am not an elite because I became disillusioned with the prospects of the path before amassing enough wealth.
I took my savings and decided to try to build my own financial freedom with the goal of owning my time and being able to use my capabilities without optimizing for profit.
But I haven’t made it yet. Savings run out. I don’t have the material security of the elites. And despite feeling a burning desire to use my capabilities for the betterment of the world, I’m trapped in the need to “make it” first.
I wonder every day if I should have waited and compromised until becoming elite. I wonder if I should re-enter the ladder and try again later on.
Great read. I hope it wakes up some.
“And despite feeling a burning desire to use my capabilities for the betterment of the world, I’m trapped in the need to “make it” first.
I wonder every day if I should have waited and compromised until becoming elite.” - This exactly how I feel too. Just wanted to say it was super resonating.
But you are so brave that you took a leap without having financial security of the ‘Elites’. I honestly don’t know the answer to this dilemma except to owning my decision despite the result. Yet I find myself circling back to the default path. I don’t think I am an Elite maybe on the cusp of being the disaffected youth if anything, but still this essay helps articulate my years of inner battle. Hopefully we find more clarity as we go and find meaning or maybe peace in at least trying!
I'm going to keep trying for sure!
Even if I wonder about going back, I can't really see myself doing it. At least for now, it's the last resort.
Just had a peek in your substack and LI! Seems like you’ve been product/startup path as well. Best of luck with your future endeavors! :)
Thank you! Rebuilding from scratch once again 💪
Uncle Ben taught us years ago, "with great power comes great responsibility." Question is, responsibility for what and to whom?
That is the question. I think the answer already exists within each person. You just have to ask yourself, what opportunities did I wish I would have had, or which ones did I have that others did not, and what would it look like if I could provide that for them? Your journey already tells you exactly what you should do.
Great article. Really enjoyed reading it as a (semi? somewhat?) elite.
I think one of the things preventing people from exiting is the milieu. I moved to Minneapolis from SF a few years ago, post startup burnout, and I found that taking the cost of living pressure off was huge. I also had a social group that did not care about what I was doing or how much I was making.
This space led to me joining a local arts non-profit as board chair, where I used the skills I gained working in product and applied them to fixing the group's finances. That experience was so inspiring that I'm in the process of navigating a bigger career shift out of venture backed tech.
I don't think the answer is "Everyone should move to the Midwest!". Arguably, I've found my way because I've failed at parts of the elite path you're highlighting. But I think finding ways to increase exposure to other ways of life is crucial, as well as building a society that doesn't require such a high burn to live.
That’s inspiring. I agree, SF innovation is cool, SF tech culture has become (mostly) uncool. Kudos to you for applying your skills and realizing where you can make a big impact. Many people never get there.
Incredible read. Sometimes you read something and realize immediately that you’ll never forget reading it: this is that.
I want to double-click on the part about needing more visibility / sharing of examples of how “elites” are trying to do better; I feel called out, but unsure of how or where to apply my skills & resources…
Regardless, I can tell this is going to sit with me for a very long time and I’m just hopeful I can DO something different and not just file this in the “interesting” folder!
I would love more help with public education. You can check me out on LinkedIn.
Michael Marder, elite by all criteria, guilty as charged, Executive Director of UTeach, Professor of Physics UT Austin
This is a brilliant essay to read! Also advise to read this book on exactly this topic: Moral Ambition from Rutger Bregman.
You'd like Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy (1994) if you haven't already churned through it.
I've read some of his other work, but not this one. Thanks for the rec!
Thank you for an excellent read, Edan. I wish there were more role models really. I've read essays of VCs that tempted to ask the same question, but they can't resist the mechanism of the industry they are in. I am always surprised by how few elites chose to go into politics, even local politics, as that is a more visible way to better lives of the people around you.
agreed! imagine a truly informed, technocratic political class. would be something.
Spent the last week at MIT with my classmates, and you have done a brilliant job of saying exactly what I have been unable to articulate effectively. Thank you. I’ll be sharing this, and hope to start a discussion about what we can all do differently and better.
Such an excellent essay Edan, thanks for taking the time to write it. Giving dollars a worthwhile job is so important, and hoarding them in a bank account is not the way!
Couldn’t agree more.
Though I do not fit the definition of "elite" (yet), I found this essay to be very compelling and an important call to action. Thank you for sharing!
thanks Jose, glad that it resonated with you!
This is awesome. I believe you’ve struck a wonderful tone for this purpose, I found this eminently readable even though I am living (currently) as a non-contributing elite as described. Gonna noodle on this with my partner….thank you!
Thanks for the kind words. Glad it resonated. Let me know what the noodling produces!
This essay is magnificent. Bravo! I find many of my elite peers are interested bystanders but no longer stakeholders in critical pillars of democracy. Public ed being the most obvious. We are in a dangerous collapse of systems with no clear path forward. Inert elites are facilitating an unrecognizable and possibly terrifying outcome by hiding from their potential contributions to a truly shared future.
Thanks Lorelei. I agree, I'm trying to figure out how to make it easier for elites to access problems that need their help. lmk if you have thoughts on how.
Absolutely most important activity this year is getting us through elections 2026 in a safe, secure and successful way. There's a network forming across the USA...I attended an event yesterday addressing about how your/our community can begin to plan for collective action related to the election: Sarah Cooper, The Carter Center Michael McNulty, Issue One Larry Garber, Election Crisis Task Force. There are others, too. I'm working on a list. It is all about local resilience and prevention starting now. Convening, workshopping and training are also vital i.e. organizing a discussion about the National guard, use of force, Rule of Law, election administration etc. Connecting to Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, youth leagues, LWV, FFA, so people know each other and the bright lines of our Constitution. Creating local fellowships with community colleges to connect with local government. like Documenters project (City Bureau, Chicago) or a Maker space fellowship where a local young person helps the member of Congress learn about new forms of civic technology. (I'm a Congress nerd, so this is my area of expertise) I've set up numerous fellowships in Congress to do public good work. Our institutions are hollowed out and derelict...so giving them capacity is key. This can happen everywhere. I've written alot on this. connect with me on linkedin.
Thx.
This was the best thing I’ve read in a while. Clear-eyed without being cynical. Really appreciate you writing this.
thanks Marcus!