Victorian elites partied instead of grinding — and AI is making the grind look overrated
dr_alphalyrae · x · 2026-10-08
A Works in Progress essay argues Victorian Britain's elites — late risers, ceaseless drinkers, 11am-5pm office hours, no science training — succeeded through soft skills and intra-elite networking rather than grinding. Quoting author SCPHughes, Ruxandra Teslo notes that as AI disrupts purely technical skillsets, today's "996" Bay Area grind culture may have something to learn from the Victorians.
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