I think a lot of technical people care more than a rat’s tail what they earn. But I agree, it seems like a of HNers say they aren’t interested in any more money than to just barely physically survive. I mean, they say that, I don’t know. I haven’t many of these types in person. It is amusing, though.

I've seen those types in person, and it is indeed amusing, but they exist. Typically, they fall in one of the two categories.

1. Recent college grad or someone who hasn't worked at a company where there is significant pay involved yet. They tend to abandon their take on this, as soon as they get their first well-paying job. At least until they potentially become a part of group [2] I describe below, but that's not necessarily always the case.

2. Those who have been in the industry for a long time and amassed a savings nest/net worth large enough, they can afford not to work for quite a long time without taking any noticeable hit to their finances at all.

For HN specifically, my guess is that we have quite a solid mix of both, with the latter probably being better represented here due to the average age and experience.

Disclaimer: all of this is pure speculation and just my personal take.

> I'd take a hefty pay cut to jump on a "hell yes" project.

Very easy to say. Let's get back to it when you have actually taken a hefty pay cut.

In November I quit my full time job to go freelance while building my own business because I got bored of the Groundhog Day I was living in (7 year itch?).

So far it's the biggest pay cut I've taken, although admittedly it is looking like it'll stabilise to more than I was on FT over the next couple months. Does that count? Am I allowed to get back to it? Haha

Figured now's the best time to try. No dependents and worst case I crash and burn and move back in with mum for a bit :)

I don't think taking a risk with a expected pay off qualifies as "taking a big pay cut so I can work on interesting stuff".

Fair enough.