I think that 'ninja/rockstar/ego-driven' technologists are sad in their own way. Somewhat differently than unseasoned MBAs though. There was a joke that was old even when I moved to the Bay Area in the 80's that you knew you were a 'successful' engineer when companies issued a press release that you had joined them, but they had no idea what you were going to do for them. And like most jokes there was a painful truth that for some people it really is all about them.
That said, I find it is also easy for me to fall into the trap of looking primarily at the excesses and sillyness and overlooking the cool things that get built. One of my long time friends is working at Intuitive Surgical and they are doing some really innovative and cool stuff that is not at all frivolous.
That said, I find it is also easy for me to fall into the trap of looking primarily at the excesses and sillyness and overlooking the cool things that get built. One of my long time friends is working at Intuitive Surgical and they are doing some really innovative and cool stuff that is not at all frivolous.