Currently reading: Crow with No Mouth by Ikkyu 📚
it isn’t that we’re alone or not alone/ whose voice do you want mine? yours?
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.
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 pretend to do some damn work.
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’.