As Jack Ma mentioned, everyone has a choice. Those who put in more hours will tend to make more money or "change the world" as Jack Ma said.
Creating 996 licenses in software is not going to change the culture of people working hard to get ahead in a very competitive world, I don't think. It's a very noble cause, but I don't think 996 will gain traction, sorry.
What I have always said is that if you are going to work long hours, then develop software for yourself and create your own company and do not work for others. You have a choice. If you don't have a choice, then find a way to put yourself in a position to choose, which normally means working hard making good investments in yourself so that someday you can make money from your knowledge in your own business.
Don't be like the many people I have seen and met over the years who are experts in cyber security or some technology, but never create any software or do hands on sys admin work.
Working for someone else is a choice. When people don't like it, then find a way out of the situation you do not like and become more independent. That is the freedom of today's world where everyone is connected to everyone else on the net. Go live in the mountains, next to a lake, or move close to the ocean and write software. Choose to be happy.
Generally speaking, people choose to work for a company owned by someone else. That is a choice, at least in most of the world and the people who often put in the most hours at work are in startups trying to change the world and get rich.
Many people believe that working for a big company provides them "financial security" so they choose to work for others. That is a choice.
Every moment of life is a choice.
If you don't want to work 996 for some big company, then stop and work 996 for yourself. If you don't have the financial means to work for yourself, then find a way to have the financial means to work for yourself.
That's my view, but of course YMMV and not everyone agrees.
At least we can be gentlemen and agreed to disagree politely and respectfully.
