We don't already have 996 thanks to labor movements just a few generations ago[1]… I suppose there are few things at play. Today, the share of the fief feels appropriate with the labor spent, the labor is less physically life threatening, and there's less motivation or opportunity to participate in society outside of labor.
Good news for the lords is that with the NLRB gone[0] the right to unionize will be gone and they can turn their attention to the Fair Labor Standards Act where the 40 hour work week is legally defined.
Because the job market is worse and employers have forced down engineers' bargaining power. And it's a virtuous cycle for them: the more overtime an employee works, the fewer employees they need to hire. On a societal level, this makes jobs even scarcer, which makes employees more desperate, and more are willing to work overtime.
Expressions of asceticism has always been popular with some personalities. It crops up in various new forms every once in a while, "monk mode" was big a while back, and 996 has a lot of the same appeal, you also had Steve Jobs famously living off the floor in his apartment.
I think the appeal is about structure more than anything else.
> Why is it suddenly becoming popular outside of China?
USA always loved slave labour. That's how it got rich. There were some issues in the 60's when some coloured people demanded rights, but this was quickly solved. /s
Yeah, not sorry I’m retired after 20 years at FAANG. Closing on a nice house by the sea [1] today with the proceeds of said two decades and looking forward to a much slower and relaxing pace of life
For the first time, ever, I’m wondering if I actually need the fastest service…
But it’s not 1.6Gbit - there’s a local service provider (as opposed to the generic list the estate-agents site uses) which offers 10Gbit (because it’s the UK you have to quote median speed, so they quote 7Gbit). I know because that’s what the previous owner had, he ran a business from there.
I’m sorry, I guess that really is rubbing it in :)
Not going to lie. The first couple of visits I turned left rather than right from time to time… Still awesome. Just got back from getting the keys after everything completed.
The proceeds which will only maintain purchasing power because others have to work 996? These index fund returns sufficient to keep abreast of inflation don’t materialize out of thin air.
Well, some shareholders, ceo and some presidents of vices have a great family life.
its just the boomer pension funds going bankrupt demanding the children return to the mines. Give them nothing , the faster this madness burns out, the faster the slavery ends and normal societal economic activity returns .
A economic crash with a renegotiation of circumstances seems preferable to a lifetime of slavery.
People overlook that its true name is 666 - from 6 am to 6 pm, 6 days a week. If you're made to work 12 hours a day, it's unlikely that your employer will let you arrive as late as 9 am.
We don't already have 996 thanks to labor movements just a few generations ago[1]… I suppose there are few things at play. Today, the share of the fief feels appropriate with the labor spent, the labor is less physically life threatening, and there's less motivation or opportunity to participate in society outside of labor.
1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-hour_day_movement
Good news for the lords is that with the NLRB gone[0] the right to unionize will be gone and they can turn their attention to the Fair Labor Standards Act where the 40 hour work week is legally defined.
0: https://prospect.org/justice/2025-08-25-federal-appellate-co...
>It originated in China, but in recent months and years, it has gained traction as a talking point in tech and startups.
I thought I saw something about 996 being made illegal in china a while back, and at a quick search it appears that was the case back in 2021.
Why is it suddenly becoming popular outside of China?
Because the job market is worse and employers have forced down engineers' bargaining power. And it's a virtuous cycle for them: the more overtime an employee works, the fewer employees they need to hire. On a societal level, this makes jobs even scarcer, which makes employees more desperate, and more are willing to work overtime.
Expressions of asceticism has always been popular with some personalities. It crops up in various new forms every once in a while, "monk mode" was big a while back, and 996 has a lot of the same appeal, you also had Steve Jobs famously living off the floor in his apartment.
I think the appeal is about structure more than anything else.
Because the engineers are coming here to work
> Why is it suddenly becoming popular outside of China?
USA always loved slave labour. That's how it got rich. There were some issues in the 60's when some coloured people demanded rights, but this was quickly solved. /s
Yeah, not sorry I’m retired after 20 years at FAANG. Closing on a nice house by the sea [1] today with the proceeds of said two decades and looking forward to a much slower and relaxing pace of life
1: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153393755
You did it right! Good job and enjoy your hard earned separation from the grind!
1.6 Gigabit Internet? Just had to rub it in didn't you!
Just kidding. Looks glorious. Congratulations!
For the first time, ever, I’m wondering if I actually need the fastest service…
But it’s not 1.6Gbit - there’s a local service provider (as opposed to the generic list the estate-agents site uses) which offers 10Gbit (because it’s the UK you have to quote median speed, so they quote 7Gbit). I know because that’s what the previous owner had, he ran a business from there.
I’m sorry, I guess that really is rubbing it in :)
I'm reminded of a game of Cluedo, fancy hosting a murder mystery dinner :D
Lovely spot for a retirement though!
The floor plan looks like a game of Tetris, mate :-) I clearly see there 3 generations of owners. Congrats, good luck - and enjoy it! Never look back.
Not going to lie. The first couple of visits I turned left rather than right from time to time… Still awesome. Just got back from getting the keys after everything completed.
The proceeds which will only maintain purchasing power because others have to work 996? These index fund returns sufficient to keep abreast of inflation don’t materialize out of thin air.
I thought AI was going to help us all* enjoy much more leisure time while our digital twins do work on our behalf.
* Oh sorry, I guess that was just for the Zoom CEO.
How is it compatible with any kind of social, family, civic life?
Well, some shareholders, ceo and some presidents of vices have a great family life.
its just the boomer pension funds going bankrupt demanding the children return to the mines. Give them nothing , the faster this madness burns out, the faster the slavery ends and normal societal economic activity returns .
A economic crash with a renegotiation of circumstances seems preferable to a lifetime of slavery.
It's not
By design, it should be emphasized too.
People overlook that its true name is 666 - from 6 am to 6 pm, 6 days a week. If you're made to work 12 hours a day, it's unlikely that your employer will let you arrive as late as 9 am.
I'd like to think the rebrand was just someone having the foresight to get ahead of its sad eventual move to the west.
Thanks Steve!
I don’t understand this comment. What is the difference between 6am to 6pm and 9am to 9pm. You work later, you come in later.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/666_(number)
Christians tend to see the number as having a negative meaning. Similar to why there are no 13th floors on (some) buildings.
Edit: learned a new word "hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia"