Hey, drop me a line: balajis at a16z dot com. We try to help entrepreneurs who have an experience like you've had get back on their feet. No promises, but often we can find you a great job at one of our portfolio companies.
A BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or the equivalent is nice
to have, but the most important requirement is significant
independent programming experience as demonstrated by your
GitHub account, personal projects, academic publications,
or startup success. Your accomplishments are much more
important than your paper credentials. But when I asked him what harms techies faced that might
prompt such a drastic response, he couldn't offer much
evidence.
He pointed to a few headlines in the national press warning
that robots might be taking over people's jobs. These, he
said, were evidence of the rising resentment that
technology will foster as it alters conditions across the
country and why Silicon Valley needs to keep an escape
hatch open.
But I found Mr. Srinivasan's thesis to be naive. According
to the industry's own hype, technologies like robotics,
artificial intelligence, data mining and ubiquitous
networking are poised to usher in profound changes in how
we all work and live. I believe, as Mr. Srinivasan argues,
that many of these changes will eventually improve human
welfare.
But in the short run, these technologies could cause
enormous economic and social hardships for lots of people.
And it is bizarre to expect, as Mr. Srinivasan and other
techies seem to, that those who are affected wouldn't
criticize or move to stop the industry pushing them.