Thanks for sharing, Olav. I thought this was a really interesting look into your personal journey, and your thoughts on “why” you work.

I have to say though, after reading your article, I’m not sure I totally accept your thesis that you’re working simply to make money.

Don’t get me wrong, I do understand the necessity of earning a good living and your job does facilitate your ability to survive. No argument there.

But I think that’s arguably an oversimplification.

Your article reveals someone who clearly loves to learn and problem solve. You’ve been driven to study technology to levels that very few ever study anything in their lives.

Beyond that drive to be an eternal student of your work, you’re also a teacher. You’re not content to hoard your experience and dish it out only to the bare minimum required to get payment. You paint the picture of someone who wants to help others, and enjoys it — whether it’s kids at a workshop, or I’m sure the countless people you’ve engaged with in your day-to-day work.

So, while money is always a factor — we all have to survive somehow — I think there may be a much deeper “why” in your life that you’re not fully acknowledging.

If you disagree, go back and read your article. I see a clear statement at the top, but then paragraphs of support for someone not driven by money but by absorbing and sharing knowledge.

Making money and having a deeper “why” are not mutually exclusive things.

There may be more nobility there than you give yourself credit for.