996 ok? cap

KONNICHIWA!! From JAPAN — the country of karoshi.

After college, my first career was in private equity. Felt like I was working 24 hours a day. When 996 (9am–9pm, six days a week) blew up out of China and people in SF were like "this is the future!!" — that’s nothing. Child’s play.

You might think once you age and your body gives out, you can’t do 996 anymore. Not really. Humans can. Especially young, hungry ones — fine, go ahead.

What I’m not saying is some left-wing line like “don’t let the CEO exploit your labor!”

I’m speaking as someone who burned out as a startup engineer. I want to tell you what actually wears people thin. It’s not stamina. When you lose the meaning in hard work — when you’re grinding for nothing that feels real — your mind snaps easy.

If you want to work hard, then work. Just keep asking yourself what it’s for.

996 ok?