> unless your startup is hogging a scarce, universal human need.

Like talented engineers that could be put to other social use, just like those empty buildings?

You know, call me an optimist but I think humanity could muddle through without us SWEs. But, kinda do need that housing though. Confident 10/10 people would choose house over software engineer. Especially anyone whose identity was stolen in a breach, whose kids are addicted to or victimized by social media, or scammed by crypto, etc etc etc.