Silicon Valley's Ideas Mocked Over Penchant for Favoring Young Entrepreneurs with 'Agency'

The Harper's article satirically profiles San Francisco's young tech entrepreneurs, examining their values and motivations. It features figures like Roy Lee, whose contribution is a simple productivity software. The article also explores the complex relationship between the Rationalist movement and the AI industry. Despite fearing the potential dangers of AI, this group inadvertently fueled its rapid development. The story then follows Eric Zhu, an 18-year-old who built a venture-capital fund by exploiting his high school. He leveraged school bathroom breaks for business calls, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of opportunities. Zhu's success, echoing a broader trend of rewarding "agency," suggests anyone can achieve wealth within this environment. The article highlights Donald Boat, who manipulated Sam Altman into buying him a gaming PC, gaining further rewards for his stunt. Boat claims disinterest in the computer and video games, indicating the value placed on the appearance of activity within the tech community. Boat's experience illustrates the shallow nature of the current entrepreneurial landscape. The author concludes by criticizing the shift from rewarding skills to rewarding mere "agency," questioning the direction of Silicon Valley.