benelliott comments on Optimal Employment - Less Wrong

60 Post author: Louie 31 January 2011 12:50PM

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Comment author: Mycroft65536 31 January 2011 02:26:43PM 7 points [-]

I've always been interested in why personal identity was tied up in a career. If you self identified as a mathematician, why couldn't you earn more money being a bartender in Australia while spending your free time doing math and participating in the mathematical community?

I know "scientists", "artists", and "teachers" who identify as such and make their money doing other things. At the extreme end, if you identify as a teacher why not spend 15 hours a week making a very high income doing XYZ and maybe 35 hours a week volunteering/working for low wages at a tutoring center? You're undeniably a teacher, and you likely have more disposable income.

Comment author: benelliott 31 January 2011 08:07:39PM 3 points [-]

This is a really interesting point that I had completely failed to consider. I'm not in a position to be looking for full time employment yet but I will keep this in mind.

Thank-you.