>since I outgrew the idea that I need to erect some kind of monument to myself in order to validate my existence.
I know you're generalizing but I don't think vanity "monuments" is accurate of most techies' aspirations.
People just want FU money: comfort, security, and freedom. The "starting a succesful software based company" is a reasonable shorthand for FU money for techies because if programmers are going to get rich, they're not going to do it by striking oil in their backyard or acting as leads in Star Wars films. If people don't have fu money by the time they're 40-something, they question their current job, their previous life choices, and their future possibilities. People can get bummed out and even question their abilities -- aka wondering why they procrastinate and can't focus (e.g. "Damnit! I'm too distracted with social media!")
I think most programmers would be absolutely fine with being "not so famous" like Chris Hughes[1] with a net worth of $450 million instead of the more well-known Zuckerberg with $40 billion. Zuckerberg's face is on all the magazine covers but most programmers would be ok with no publicity and $450 million.
I don't think the percentage of techies with the ego to be the next Larry Ellison or Steve Jobs is that high. Maybe I'm wrong.
Don't get me wrong. I would be thrilled to have 7-9 figures in the bank. But pursuing that kind of payout means playing very long odds of making nothing versus making a very comfortable salary working for somebody else. It's a decision we all have to make for ourselves but I had my turn at bat in the startup lottery and I'm not interested in playing again.
Seven figures is trivial if you're making software developer money and not living in a crazy HCOL area like SF or Manhattan. Live below your means and don't take on stupid debt. Invest what you can, ideally >= 50% of take home (after tax and health insurance, before retirement deductions).
I know you're generalizing but I don't think vanity "monuments" is accurate of most techies' aspirations.
People just want FU money: comfort, security, and freedom. The "starting a succesful software based company" is a reasonable shorthand for FU money for techies because if programmers are going to get rich, they're not going to do it by striking oil in their backyard or acting as leads in Star Wars films. If people don't have fu money by the time they're 40-something, they question their current job, their previous life choices, and their future possibilities. People can get bummed out and even question their abilities -- aka wondering why they procrastinate and can't focus (e.g. "Damnit! I'm too distracted with social media!")
I think most programmers would be absolutely fine with being "not so famous" like Chris Hughes[1] with a net worth of $450 million instead of the more well-known Zuckerberg with $40 billion. Zuckerberg's face is on all the magazine covers but most programmers would be ok with no publicity and $450 million.
I don't think the percentage of techies with the ego to be the next Larry Ellison or Steve Jobs is that high. Maybe I'm wrong.
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook