jross

Early in my career I reasoned about this like a battery powering light bulbs. You have self, family, friends, career, and faith. You decide how bright each bulb burns through life's stages.

As the OP, I defined X as better from a user experience perspective, feeling that the platform had immediately become more of a "digital town square" where more voices are heard. I stand by this today, that X is better, and support that with "record usage" and "balanced politics" citations. There's chatter about an increase in hate speech and misinformation, but offense is in the eye of the beholder, right? Before Musk's acquisition, I was frustrated with Twitter's content. Now, I find X is a different atmosphere, one that resonates with me more. And when surveys show X's political balance, it just confirms my own experience. It's not like the echo chamber of Twitter or Gab. Musk's motives were clear from the start - it wasn't about making money; it was about fostering free speech and other principles. So it feels ingenuine to measure "better" based on private share value. (which clearly he has driven down) Would Musk sell X to a new owner that would revert X back to Twitter moderation policies? Would he do this to recoup his original cost? Would he do it for 2x his cost? Given a do-over Would Musk pay the 1 billion to get out of the contract or fight the inflated users (bots) concern? After buying X, would he focus more PR by self-control over his words? Would he keep moderation policy and staffing? Musk's behavior and statements suggest he values the mission of X over financial considerations. He has shown a willingness to endure financial losses for what he believes in... at least in the short term.

Hmmm

Hmmm

Here we are talking about reducing Government Spending. This is remarkably important. The role sounds fantastic. A contribution just below the legacy "He loved his family and his family loved him."

Results matter more than effort. The creator's effort matters none to my consumer decision to buy the Ford F150. Rather my purchase is result driven. Is it useful for my needs, reliable, affordable? Sold! I don't want to pay five workers to stand around the slow/stop sign in the street for two months. I want the street repaired in 24 hours. Oh - you have someone that get the work done faster by being smarter without working harder? Great! Just get it done, now and well.

The mention of 80 hours weekly for two years isn't about strictly enforcing those hours but more about signaling the kind of dedication or work ethic desired in an employee.

Personally, I can work 55+ without missing family time. I cannot sustain 80 for more than a few weeks, a couple times a year. I've done 100 hour weeks a couple of times. All by choice. So long as I know my why, and get the rewards for my labor, the tradeoff is worth it. The golden handcuffs are heavy at times.

Vivek was raised upper middle class. He was nationally ranked at tennis and a valedictorian in High School. He graduated summa cum laude at Harvard. He made partner at a Hedge Fund before starting his own business. Listen to him speak, the historical knowledge and legal knowledge of America. That's enough evidence to know he knows how to chop wood and carry water (e.g. 55 to 80 hour weeks when needed).

Just depends. Kid in school and after school sports. Provider working 55+ through the week, dinner and a game together as a family, weekend time. Provider sometimes needs to put into more time across a few weeks to get important work done. Tradeoffs.

The next time the jews make an error on my baseball team, I'll remind them that I voted for Trump. That is a joke! I've never encountered any Trump supporters who align with those hate groups you mentioned, but I understand why you might feel uneasy.

This isn't about exploiting labor or doing menial labor like mowing the lawn for 80 hours. It's about engaging in creative, knowledge-intensive tasks. They're after the individual who's driven by purpose, who seeks mastery, and values autonomy, willing to go the extra mile for results. Consider lawyers who work 55 hours a week and then spend another 40 updating Wikipedia for free. That's the spirit they are looking for. In a corporate setting, they're aiming for the top 1% of performers who exceed expectations, not the 70% who just meet them. It's not about tracking hours; it's about a dedication to achieve. They want individuals who mirror their own zeal and commitment. If you're concerned about working hours, that suggests you value more free time. That is fine; this is not a job for you.

April 2022 (several months before the purchase was finalized)

Needs to be said again that the GAO takes credit for 75% of their past recommendations have been implemented over a four year period. This begs the question, what the hell do they do? (actually they do something) Just as a lamp should be put on a stand to light the room, the GAO and Congress' accomplishments should be made visible to ensure that the public can benefit from their work. This isn't criticism per se but an encouragement for better communication or marketing of their efforts. DOGE is exciting because its lighting up the room.

Without accountability, managers ensure the money is gone to secure next year's cash flow. With accountability and focus, it is remarkable how much money can be saved. In a big company, simply reclaiming unused software licenses can save millions. At home, buying in bulk and home cooked meals saves a tremendous amount. You fix what you focus on.

Love that https://x.com/realDonaldTrump directly announces his position assignments to the public.

Matt unfortunately looks like a sleezy car salesman, making anything good a surprise.

GAO does have wasteful spending callouts and a lot off calls to increase revenue. 40+ items on operations (link) FRAUD: GAO estimated total direct annual financial losses to the government from fraud to be between $233 billion and $521 billion, based on data from fiscal years 2018 through 2022. (link) Reduce Duplication, Overlap and Fragmentation, Achieve Savings, and Enhance Revenue (link) 30 items on taxes. (link) Small Business Owners: Each year, sole proprietors—like gig workers, social media influencers, and trade workers in business for themselves—underreport income that leads to about $80 billion in unpaid taxes. (link) High Income - improve tax audits (link) 1 item on budget and spending (link) Military Spending - DoD service contracts are not managed effectively (link) All priority GAO recommendations are available here https://www.gao.gov/reports-testimonies/recommendations-database?processed=1&priority=1&topic=all I found zero service or program cut indications in about 200 title reviews. One had Covid statements about the government and companies requiring vaccinations, along with compliance charts by age. Nothing in there about the ethical risks though. Hmm.

At the end of the day, I don't care if Musk (or Pelosi) makes billions (or millions) if the country cuts trillions in spending.

What a self-damning statement from the GAO. --------- Yet nobody on the streets know you exist and anybody can identify waste in the Government.

Nope and these people's situations are not close to the same.

LOVE THIS TRANSPARENCY

Really there must always be one person in charge for things to get done. Putting two people in charge is certain that only the most agreeable things get done. Putting too many people in charge ensures nothing gets done. I don't expect anything to get cut at all. I wish it though!

DOGE is Connor, GAO is Jeremy.

Joe Rogan is more entertainment than news. Now some of his discussions do make the news. Apparently AM radio shows have a larger audience than I'd suspected. Note that there is no scientific measurement though... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-listened-to_radio_programs