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I don't know if I should interpret this common sentiment as programmers being humble about their jobs and lives, or being braggy about it. What is the huge dif

I don't know if I should interpret this common sentiment as programmers being humble about their jobs and lives, or being braggy about it. What is the huge difference between programming and most other white-collar jobs, really? Is programming so incredibly liberating and personally fulfilling compared to them? If so, why? It's not that I can't believe that it is true. I'm just curious why it is such a massive difference, apparently. On the other hand, even for people who looove coding, there is no shortage of those of them who complain that they don't like their coding job. A programming competition is different to coding your own project by yourself, is different from coding whatever greenfield project for a job, is different from being stuck with a monolithic codebase as a maintenance programmer.

ashark 11y ago
The main thing I enjoy about it, as compared with many other careers, is that it's in-demand enough that I'm not at risk of having to put up with anyone's shit for very long if I don't want to. That's not true in many other careers, where all the jobs will be fairly bad because supply/demand for those workers is poor enough that they don't have much power to push back. Meanwhile, if management does something I don't like and gives me the impression they'll do it again, I start casually applying for other jobs with an expectation of finding something better in a month or two. I can tell managers "no" if they ask too much of me and if they insist on a yes... OK, fine, but you'll be receiving my two-weeks notice before long, hope that was worth it. I can be relaxed in interviews because I know I am the kind of person they're looking for, and if this place doesn't realize that then the next one will. I can bid up my salary because eff it, why not? I have these liberties and I'm not even in a hot market, and I'm not some superstar developer. Just competent. I'm pretty sure this is very unusual, even in white-collar jobs. This situation won't last—especially for those down the skill/experience ladder—but it sure is nice right now.

ashark 11y ago

The main thing I enjoy about it, as compared with many other careers, is that it's in-demand enough that I'm not at risk of having to put up with anyone's shit for very long if I don't want to. That's not true in many other careers, where all the jobs will be fairly bad because supply/demand for those workers is poor enough that they don't have much power to push back. Meanwhile, if management does something I don't like and gives me the impression they'll do it again, I start casually applying for other jobs with an expectation of finding something better in a month or two. I can tell managers "no" if they ask too much of me and if they insist on a yes... OK, fine, but you'll be receiving my two-weeks notice before long, hope that was worth it. I can be relaxed in interviews because I know I am the kind of person they're looking for, and if this place doesn't realize that then the next one will. I can bid up my salary because eff it, why not? I have these liberties and I'm not even in a hot market, and I'm not some superstar developer. Just competent. I'm pretty sure this is very unusual, even in white-collar jobs. This situation won't last—especially for those down the skill/experience ladder—but it sure is nice right now.