I love this concept of legibility, and I love how you highlighted how prestige offers instant legibility but often at the expense of what we really want to do.
what I needed to read today! I’m so drawn to the prestige of people working in AI hyper-growth startups with billion-dollar valuations. I keep trying everything I can to get in — to earn that recognition of being one of “the chosen,” with all the potential money, success, and achievements I could later brag about.
But then I read posts from those (mostly male) founders bragging about the 996 culture, overflowing with ego and showing zero care for the people actually doing the grind, and I can’t help but think: do I really want that?
I’m already building my own universe — I’m a community founder, a creator, and a marketer in my 9–5 — and every day I wonder what I can build that gives me the same sense of fulfillment and recognition, without following what’s conventionally celebrated right now.
It’s a long reflection, but I needed to let it out — it’s exactly what’s been on my mind today. And this article found me so serendipitously ✨✨✨✨
this: “unconventional” isn’t fundamentally about being different, it’s about noticing what your context worships, and choosing differently.
and this: here’s the thought that he offers: prestige is the collective opinion of people you don’t know. when you zoom out far enough, it doesn’t make any sense.
I loved reading this and could relate to so much of your writing. The idea of prestige as a magnet makes a lot of sense but often hard to accept. Hopefully this instills the confidence I need to continue working on things that I value and not look for legibility.
tech art gallery mentioned 🚨
I love this concept of legibility, and I love how you highlighted how prestige offers instant legibility but often at the expense of what we really want to do.
great piece Cole!
thank you pete!! yes, verci s/o
what I needed to read today! I’m so drawn to the prestige of people working in AI hyper-growth startups with billion-dollar valuations. I keep trying everything I can to get in — to earn that recognition of being one of “the chosen,” with all the potential money, success, and achievements I could later brag about.
But then I read posts from those (mostly male) founders bragging about the 996 culture, overflowing with ego and showing zero care for the people actually doing the grind, and I can’t help but think: do I really want that?
I’m already building my own universe — I’m a community founder, a creator, and a marketer in my 9–5 — and every day I wonder what I can build that gives me the same sense of fulfillment and recognition, without following what’s conventionally celebrated right now.
It’s a long reflection, but I needed to let it out — it’s exactly what’s been on my mind today. And this article found me so serendipitously ✨✨✨✨
I love reading everything you write it always makes me smile :)
thank you monica!!
Let it burn!
this was so profoundly written!!! in awe, cole!
Thank you drea 🫶🥺
this: “unconventional” isn’t fundamentally about being different, it’s about noticing what your context worships, and choosing differently.
and this: here’s the thought that he offers: prestige is the collective opinion of people you don’t know. when you zoom out far enough, it doesn’t make any sense.
hit so hard
emily!! thank you :)
Amazing as always
thank you jia!
I loved reading this and could relate to so much of your writing. The idea of prestige as a magnet makes a lot of sense but often hard to accept. Hopefully this instills the confidence I need to continue working on things that I value and not look for legibility.
thank you
i love this!! a beautiful ode to bringing the spirit of early homebrew computer club back to SF