I would say he has been very successful. He managed to become a billionaire by collecting money from investors without even needing a viable product. Even when the bubble bursts, he probably has enough other assets to live a very comfortable life.
this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2026
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Remember: these days, business isn't about running a company that will generate a modest profit for generations. It's about convincing people that a polished turd (or enshittification of your predecessor's product) is the next big thing, then selling your shares and jumping ship before it crashes.
I would say he has been very successful. He managed to become a billionaire
I guess we have different measures of success.
If I ever become a billionaire and am not actively figuring out how to effectively redistribute my wealth, you have my permission to kill me.
I don't think our measures are that different. I meant "successful as a businessman" which is mostly equivalent to "selfish prick" and very different from being a good person.
business is not about money it’s about dreams
yes, that’s what the stock market is
And like dreams AI money just disappears into the aether when you look away
The unfortunate reality is Sam Altman is good at business, we just aren't defining business accurately. Business is less about making money and more about networking, knowing the right people, lobbying, influencing policy, and controling company image.
Well no, its absolutely all about money, but the misconception is that the COMPANY needs to make money. But in reality Altman is happy as long as HE makes money. And he does indeed make a lot of money, so by stupid capitalist logic he is a good business man.
All the other things you mentioned might help with that, but the goal is always for someone to make money.
When i sell a car i'm still no billionaire. It's cool to call out the stupidity of A.I, but calling him a bad businessman is just false.
The tweaker giving a toothless beej for $5 a pop behind the Circle K is better at business than Sam Altman, and a better service to their community to boot.