Yeah, that made me see red. Just money? Money is food in my mouth, money is attention from a qualified doctor in a good hospital when I get ill, money is a good place to live in a nice and safe area, with heating that turns on in the winter, money is a car that starts when you turn the key, with a tank full of gas. Money is fucking important.

In the context of software engineering in silicon valley, money isn't the difference between being able to afford a car that starts or not, it's mostly about how much money you have sloshing around in a rainy day fund.

Okay lets change it then: more money is how long you can do without a job and still have all those things.

I think the point is that people who are looking exclusively for money or shine will make poor employees. If someone is looking to be a master, the others will naturally follow.