> I suspect we have a few groups.

I think that's pretty much accurate, and what I saw when I was at the Job Faire in Browning last month, most were surprised by how extensive my experience was before I applied to get there: I worked for one of Kimbal's companies, I did a short stint at the Mars Desert Research Station, and got to know the Director and was asked to come back under her on a crewed mission etc...

Most were there to dip there toes and see what it was all like, but some of us were kool-aid drinkers for sure.

I met a SpaceX engineer in S. OC at an inn/out years ago and struck up a chat and the way he spoke about it was inspiring; despite the commute, long hours, fears of possibly going bankrupt before every launch (this was before Falcon 9 was recoverable) he seemed very fulfilled: like this is what he was here to do.

I got to stay after hours and hang out with some the crew in Browning as they were having dinner-lunch and it was the same vibe--smiles everywhere and just a really warm and inviting environment as you knew you among similar 'crazies.' I'm not sure if its cult-like or not but it was one of those rare moments I've had in Life where people genuinely wouldn't want to be anywhere else than where they are.

Money can't really buy that, and that is probably why I'm so drawn to it. If you're there trying to have a cushy work-life balance in any Musk corp you're deluding yourself.

No engineer that works at SpaceX and is actually good at what s/he does would have an issue finding a job somewhere else. Having SpaceX on your resume is a guaranteed door opener. Everyone that I knew did it because they believed in the company's mission. Eventually, many went on to other places, many others kept on.

basically everyone who works on "space" projects drank a fucking gallon of post-apollo space koolaid.

all of the aerospace companies take wild advantage of it.

at least musk is actually doing something interesting with their obsession, and not just building bigger bombs.