My former boss and I met up at Tacoma dome to take transit into Seattle to catch a game at Climate Pledge. We invited some other people to join us and one of them made a very innocent remark why our former boss was taking public transit (because he’s rich rich). It didn’t even occur to me why. For a split second, I thought it was just to stick with the group and be one of the guys. I didn’t think too much into it. The guys were texting the group chat our former boss is not in saying stuff like, “he could’ve helicoptored us to the Arena”
On the quiet train ride, I pretended to rest but I did think about if I became rich, would I stop taking public transit? I grew up on public transit. It was my first taste of freedom. Even when I eventually had access to a car, I never really stopped using public transi because it was so familiar to me and it made practical sense almost more times than a car did. Also, subways are cool. It makes me feel like I’m part of the fabric of society.
Anyway, I decided to pipe up and instigate some shit cuz I was bored. I said to my former boss, “Eric, the guys think you’re too good for public transit and want to know why you’re here.” as I point at the guys. I remain silent and wait for the euphoria to wash over me.
Eric gives that old rich person chuckle and responds, “I like public transit”
One of the guys took that response as an invitation to fire back, “But you show up to the office with your own driver”
Another guy asks, “if it was allowed, would you visit our office in a helicopter?”
I was loving where this conversation was going. Eric looks over at me realizing what I started.
THen outta nowhere, this dude pulls a goddamn ace out of his sleeve with his response, ”Boys, think about it. You pay taxes and so do I. Public transit is not about status. It’s about infrastructure, community, and making use of what we contribute towards. I pay significantly more taxes than most people. The taxes we all contribute don’t just disappear. They fund things like public transportation, libraries, parks, and community centers. To scoff at me using them is essentially scoffing at my own major investment. If I’m shelling out for it, I want to see where it’s going”
Everyone went silent and started agreeing with him. God damn it. Well played. Here we all thought, he just wanted to stay grounded for a day. It was that money mind he has that brought him here to slum it with us lol.
Model Context Protocol might be the next big thing
February 2, 2025