> they're paying me a ridiculous amount of money to do a job I enjoy

> It's a deal that 99% of the world is envious of, and I don't think it should inspire bitterness and cynicism

First of all, I think it takes a lot of guts to continue to have this attitude in the current economic climate. Or, in your case, immense skill, but not everybody - not even everybody in the big tech companies - has that.

I think the bitterness and cynicism stems from not enjoying the work. As crazy as this sounds - it's the intangibles as much as the cash: for example, knowing the company will fight your efforts to improve things.