Where humans work harder and work longer for AI

[Axtremus]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/20/ai-996-startups/

Story on a resurgent culture in which workers work exceptionally long hours in Silicon Valley startups to catch a new, potentially lucrative technological wave.

It happened before. Last time it was the DotCom boom. This time it's AI.

The new buzzword this time is "996," an import from China that says you work from 9 AM to 9 PM 6 days a week. (There is an even more extreme version called "007" but I have seen that used only in sarcasm or as intentional hyperbole.)

The workforce in mainland China view "996" as a sad inescapable fact of life, they don't like it but resigned to recognizing it as a common way of existence for the working class. Now some Silicon Valley startup folks take it as a point of pride and openly state in recruiting ads that they expect workers to work "996" and be excited about it.

[Mik]

I've done that and more on important projects, but not for any extended time. As a way of life it's insane.

[Horace]

The work ethic meme has maybe a generation of viability left, as a thing that anybody claims to believe with a straight face.

[Mik]

I have no issue with the work ethic - it's important. But it does not apply to slavery or obsession.

[Horace]

Rebrand it to something that means "focus on something meaningful ethic" and I think it sticks. Not so much "work ethic".

[Mik]

I see that as inherent, having never valued hard work over smart work.