> How many people do you know working on real things?

Pretty much everyone I know working in industry is working on imaginary things like increasing engagement and aggregating data. They are doing this because FAANG want them to, not because this is critical work that needs to be done for society.

I anticipated this objection to my phrasing and I agree, but I couldn't think of another word to use :) Maybe "other" things would have sufficed.

For what it's worth, I do think this is (or was) a problem. For awhile late last year and early this year a large proportion of the people I saw leaving my big tech company were going into blockchain stuff.

I suspect the current correction will put an end to that though, which I must say seems like a good thing.

I know exactly 0 people doing any kind of crypto work. I do know plenty that are in the ponzi scheme though.