Robbie Rambles | October 1, 2023
Hey everyone, it's been a minute.
I have some exciting news, that explains some of the radio silence: I got a new job!
I'm joining Second Front Systems as a Senior Software Engineer, helping to accelerate the delivery of modern software for U.S. national security. I'm excited to both 1) get back into a startup, and 2) work in the defense sector. I'm looking forward to what the future holds, and hope to share more about it (insofar as I can) in the future.
A few weeks ago, I asked the question of what a virtuous relationship to work looks like. It was fortuitous, then, that I shortly came across Andreas Widmer's book The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship: Creating Enduring Value.
Widmer is the founder and director of the Art Carlyse Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship at The Catholic University of America. Who's Art Carlyse Ciocca? Well, if you read Widmer's book, you'll learn plenty about him, but if you've ever drunk boxed wine, you can thank him.
In Widmer's estimation, Ciocca was the embodiment of "principled entrepreneurship", a mindset around work and business that is grounded in virtue ethics and Catholic moral theology. Widmer defines five "pillars" of principled entrepreneurship:
The economy exists for people, not people for the economy.
To work is to create, to create is to be human.
Culture eats strategy for breakfast.
Principled entrepreneurs always seek to create win-win solutions.
Always think like an entrepreneur.
While I won't do a deep dive on each pillar here (you can read Widmer's book for that!), I want to show how principled entrepreneurship might be the key to unlocking a virtuous relationship to work.
In my earlier essay linked above, I talked about trends like "quiet quitting" and "acting your wage". I think these are understandable, albeit misguided, responses to an inversion of Widmer's first pillar. A number of my peers justifiably feel that the economy is something that treats people as resources. And in many ways, it does. Human nature being what it is, I think the tendency towards extracting value from others is something that we will need to perennially struggle against.
However, where I think many in my cohort err is in assuming that this tendency is either exclusive or inherent to capitalism and free markets. I would argue that if anything, a market unencumbered by special interests and open to free exchange is actually the least exploitative and extractive option. I know that's a bold assertion, one that I don't have the space to unpack here. Given the realities of an imperfect world, my interest is how we can make things better for those around us, particularly in our professional lives. Principles like always seeking to create win-win solutions are a step in the direction. The economy is made up of people. If we want it to be humane, it starts with each of us.
One of the things I love about Charlottesville is the historical architecture — heck, one of F3's workouts is held at a UNESCO World Heritage Site (UVA Rotunda). The chapel at UVA is currently undergoing renovations, and some interesting markings were discovered during the work recently, just in time for spooky season.
These are a few months old, but it came across my radar recently and was too good not to share. Noah Smith argues against being a doomer, as does Seth Moskowitz. They provide refreshing counterpoints to the sentiment that generally sees Everything As Being More Terrible Than Ever. Are there problems to be faced? Certainly. But being a consumer of the 24/7 outrage and terror mill that is our current media ecosystem has debilitating effects. As both authors point out, doomscrolling is incredibly lucrative. I don't think it's denialism to limit your news intake. Rather, I think it's a healthy and responsible response to a tragic and broken world. Wisdom is not to be found on Twitter, or X, or whatever you want to call it.
At Law & Liberty, Philip Bunn defends voracious reading. For some reason, I'm unable to stick to one book at a time, so I appreciate my enablers wherever I can find them.
Currently reading:
The Terminal List — Jack Carr
Metamorphoses — Ovid
Jefferson: Architect of American Liberty — John B. Boles
Extreme Programming Explained — Kent Beck with Cynthia Andres
In the Woods — Tana French (recently finished, and I had to plug it)