“From Worldcom to Enron, from crypto to AI, the point of the bubble wasn’t ever the residue or lack thereof – it was a transfer from working people to crooks. Bubbles are a system for moving the painfully sequestered life’s savings of people who do things to people who steal things.”
Mercor Blues
I uploaded my CV to Mercor.com, largely out of curiosity. It’s one of those youthful founder-led AI startups with that young founder energy that stiffens the dicks of middle aged VC types. Super high valuation, lots of buzz, all that. Anyhow it’s got me matched to some $80+/hour contract gigs. Basically I’d be a consultant to an AI in training mode, as it learns to be the best robot version of my former self that can possibly be monetized. First I’ve got to jump through some assessment hoops, where I perform for a robot.
And now I’m feeling a bit like the Mid-West factory worker in the NAFTA 90s whose last paid gig in his field was training the Mexican workers who would man the factory he used to work in, now dismantled and rebuilt south of the border. This is an uncanny way to feel about a job you’re applying for, but hey. 80 bucks is 80 bucks.
Tampa Gals
My last sojourn in the Sunshine State was 20 years ago. I was relocated to Tampa and tasked with fixing that office while looking after six others around the state. In Tampa there was a particularly noxious young sales rep, a cynosure for so much of the office drama. One day, before I was able to free her up for a new career opportunity, she passed me in the office and offered me a “Happy Easter” followed by a quick…“oh wait, sorry. I forgot.” The obvious attempt at anti-semitism with a saccharine delivery was delivered in a Tampa accent that I hear every time Pam Bondi opens her mouth. Happy to hear that Pam will be back in Tampa, where both she and that blonde sales rep from two decades ago can both fuck right off, together.
I joined a local co-working space when I tired of the more corporate version. It’s grittier and more down to earth like I like, with just enough ‘founder energy’ in their marketing copy to make me feel young and relevant. Maybe tomorrow I’ll actually show up there and do some damn work.
AI is overrated. Not entirely useless, but seriously over-hyped. It is an unreliable assistant and a terrible writer. It’s also embarrassing if you chat at it like a friend or therapist or confessor. Pathetic.
Currently reading: Mumonkan by Koun Yamada 📚
Trying to focus on the Netflix programming, but remembering that it’s written and filmed to be watched with attention that fades in and out with simultaneous device use. Thus this post, composed during the lavish, preposterous ‘Bridgerton’.