A Tale of Two Sam's: What The Stories of Altman and Bankman-Fried Can Teach You
Frauds, saviours and everything in between
2023 has been the tale of two Sams.
One fell from grace, whilst the other rose to the top.
There’s a lot to learn from both stories. Especially when applied to your career.
It's been a significant year for two notable figures in tech: Sam Bankman-Fried and Sam Altman. Their stories, although contrasting, offer valuable insights into careers and life.
The $8 billion fraud
Another sentence with the crypto and fraud.
Who could have guessed?
Once a high-flying entrepreneur, Bankman-Fried faced serious legal issues this year. His cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, went bankrupt amid fraud allegations. This story reminds us of the importance of ethical business practices, and not being a lying douche.
SBF’s (as Twitter/X anointed him) sentence of decades in prison should be a warning to anyone else considering this path. You have to understand the importance of transparency and accountability in business.
And yes, that means not stealing your customer’s money to buy lambos and mansions.
→ The bottom line: Prioritise ethical decision-making, not just for legal compliance, but to maintain trust and credibility in our fields.
The cult of AI
On the other hand, Altman, known for co-founding OpenAI, faced another type of Netflix-like TV drama challenge.
Briefly removed as CEO, he bounced back in a weekend due to people power. His story highlights the reverence of god-like figures in the tech world. His almost cult-like level of worship retained his power.
While this underscores the significance of personal branding and professional reputation, it also raises questions about the dynamics of power and influence in the tech industry.
Although still the darling of Silicon Valley, it remains to be seen if the right future choices will be made. Yes, I'm talking about Skynet!
🧐 Some early lessons to reflect on:
Bankman-Fried’s fall warns us about the consequences of unethical decisions, and again, being an immature money-hungry douche.
Altman’s journey, however, shows the value of the relationships you build and people truly having your back.
Don't be a douche.
Anyway, I'm out of tea and my keyboard needs a break. Enjoy your doom-scrolling.