America's new millionaire class: Plumbers and HVAC entrepreneurs

Can this be the next thing tech democratizes?

Nope. The average tech worker would be screaming about these working conditions being unreasonable for any human by the end of Day 1.

I’m being partially sarcastic, but partially honest in that tech workers are often ludicrously blind to how good they have it.

“Shit rolls downhill” is different in plumbing. Much more literal. You might be standing in some. You might have to stick your hand in some.

A lot of people just aren’t ready for that kind of work.

I worked when I was a teenager digging a 6 foot pit under a house, that was located next to a stream. Almost no visibility, pit filling with water as you dig, almost no room to shovel dirt out. I also worked on the 12th story of scaffolding grinding out mortar joints on bell towers.

I have little respect for when people complain that just coming into an office will affect their mental health outcomes.

> I have little respect for when people complain that just coming into an office will affect their mental health outcomes.

I have shovelled many tons of chicken shit. I have also felt the stress of my screw-up jeopardizing a multi-million dollar contract the company depends on.

There are many many advantages to a tech job. But shovelling chicken shit is better for your mental health.

I didn’t say “screw-up jeopardizing a multi-million dollar contract” shouldn’t cause stress. I totally understand that.

I’m talking about people offended just by needing to show up and function in a normal office.

If someone is offering me $120K; I’ll physically show up in a suit if you want.

Traffic jams are also more mentally stressful than shovelling chicken shit.

You still have to drive to work to clean up chicken shit, unless you live with your employer.