Yeah there is a lot of freedom that comes from a smaller set of choices. Java is so vast and so many libraries it is overwhelming and solutions are usually over engineered. With Go its nice to just write some code.
I still love C++ but rarely code in it any more. One interesting thing is that the whole modern approach to immutable data structures seems so wasteful to me now. C++ you literally take strings and overwrite characters, where now people duplicate lists of records just to stay clean.
Once you have the discipline you need in C++ to make mutable data structures work its a hugely efficient place to be. However I sleep much better in the non-C++ world.
You can get a bunch of refurbished micro PCs coming out of corporates on ebay for a cheap price. Pis are nice but with cases and power supplies they aren't so cheap and storage is a hassle.
I spent 10 years doing C# on a big system and love it. However it never got the momentum Java did so I've switched. I prefer C# over Java, I hate a lot of Spring attribute/factory/builder craziness, but Java has so much more wider support I would always choose it first now.
This is pretty much why in Asia and Europe people dont have large families, nor large dogs, nor buy massive boxes of goods from warehouse stores. National parks you should be good.
Whenever I hear someone saying the market is huge I think of this classic Thiel talk. Sounds like its definitely something you should watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fx5Q8xGU8k
Its almost worth changing your name if you have an unusual one. It must be great to be have a name like John Smith because no one can google you to find anything interesting.
Interesting thought about closing doors rather than opening. With Elite schools it is almost a burden that everyone gets a choice of great 6 figure jobs on graduation. Its the guys that dont get those have the most freedom to do real innovative stuff.
They broke it they have to fix it. You need the light shining on that team, not strive to fix it yourself.