Narrowed tech success paths made self-deception essential for aspiring billionaires

Evidence

If the goal was making billions, there was no future in becoming an astronaut or surgeon. Only entrepreneurial success allowed for the highest forms of self-actualization. Yet even as the tech market roared in the 2010s, the viable paths to such fortunes narrowed to proprietary technological breakthroughs (Google), network effects (Facebook), and ruthless business strategies (Uber). This made magical thinking essential for a generation of aspiring young billionaires. Many saw dishonesty as justifiable—even necessary—to buy time to get the technology working. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 572

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the book’s broader ‘death of the sellout’ thesis: narrowed legitimate paths push people into performative falsehood.
• QUESTION: Is this mechanism era-specific or a constant of speculative bubbles going back to South Sea and Tulip manias?