For tech workers in China, a brutal work schedule of 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week (usually just called “996″) is not only commonplace, it’s been hailed as “a huge blessing” by the likes of Alibaba’s eccentric and fantastically wealthy taskmaster, Jack Ma.
This is a golden era for rich nerds who make people uncomfortable. Remember Tesla CEO Elon Musk posing with maracas next to a mariachi band? Remember sentient ball of pizza dough Mark Zuckerberg doing his best normal guy impression? OK now forget those guys because Jack Ma set the new…
Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s past connections to Australia have been well-documented, but on Friday he had a surprise gift for Newcastle, where he spent time as a teenager. Ma, the second wealthiest man in China, gave $26.4 million to set up a scholarship at the University of Newcastle.