Sam Bankman-Fried’s Unique Form of Professionalism
In Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, Michael Lewis paints a vivid portrait of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former FTX CEO. Picture this: while holding high-profile interviews, Sam casually indulged in video games. Who wouldn’t want to multitask when the stakes are so high, right? His infamous League of Legends sessions often seemed to overshadow actual conversation, leaving interviewers questioning if they were interacting with a billionaire or simply a gamer whose chatroom was too active.
Sam’s Attitude Towards Time
Time management? Not Sam’s strong suit. Natalie Tien, who served as FTX’s head of public relations, remarked on his erratic scheduling habits. Lewis humorously notes, “The schedule was less a plan than a theory.” Imagine calling up your buddy to hang out, only to learn that his presence hinges on fluctuating probabilities rather than commitment. Just like that awkward first date that never confirms.
Dodging High-Profile Events
Among the prominent events Sam canceled was a highly-celebrated sponsorship opportunity that brought him alongside none other than Vogue’s Anna Wintour at the Met Gala. Imagine turning down an invite to fashion’s biggest night! Sam was known to treat these opportunities as optional, snubbing the event like it was a serialized Netflix show. Spoiler alert: he wasn’t the star of this one.
The Rare Suit Appearance
When Sam did decide to grace the public with his presence, it was often accompanied by an awkward wardrobe choice—like when he slipped into a suit to testify before Congress but forgot to tie his shoes. It’s a classic case of crypto billionaire chic: business on top, casual on the bottom. Social media, of course, didn’t let that go unnoticed, with memes circulating faster than FTX’s stock was plummeting.
The Calm Before the Storm
Just as a serene sea might hide a hurricane beneath, SBF’s meticulous planning and apparent ease disguised grave implications spiraling beneath the surface. Each opportunity seemed a calculated risk, with Bankman-Fried navigating his ascent to fame and fortune until it all came crashing down. Andrew shall soon face the music in a New York courtroom, charged with seven counts related to the unraveling of FTX. Rumor has it, there are plans for even more podcasts and media to spill the tea on this financial soap opera tale.
