Sahil Lavingia's 55 Days Inside Elon Musk's DOGE
Gumroad founder Sahil Lavingia recently documented his brief 55-day experience working within Elon Musk's DOGE initiative. His account offers a glimpse into the complexities of government bureaucracy and the challenges of rapid digital transformation within established agencies.
A Silicon Valley Veteran in Government
Lavingia, known for his work at Pinterest and as a prominent angel investor, joined DOGE as a software engineer for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He initially aimed to contribute his tech expertise to improve government services.
Unexpected Bureaucracy and Limited Impact
Lavingia quickly encountered the realities of working within a large government agency. He was surprised by the strict regulations surrounding layoffs, which prioritized seniority and veteran status over performance. He also noted inefficiencies within DOGE itself, including a lack of knowledge sharing and a centralized playbook for software engineers.
Despite developing several tools, including one leveraging LLMs for contract analysis, Lavingia expressed frustration at being unable to implement changes that would directly benefit the public. He was ultimately dismissed from DOGE after discussing his work with a reporter.
DOGE's Advisory Role and Lack of Authority
Lavingia described DOGE's role as similar to management consultants, lacking direct authority to implement changes. He echoed Elon Musk's sentiment that DOGE often served as a "whipping boy" for unpopular decisions.
Reflections on Government and Tech
Lavingia's experience highlights the challenges of integrating Silicon Valley's fast-paced startup culture with the complexities of government. While his intentions were noble, his short tenure suggests that a more structured approach may be necessary for effective collaboration between tech and government.
You can read Lavingia's full account on his personal website.
