"If the jokes are true, the user does not exist in the programmer’s conception as an active or independent player. But they, rather that managers, are the ones

"If the jokes are true, the user does not exist in the programmer’s conception as an active or independent player. But they, rather that managers, are the ones programmers are working for. I wonder how software would change if the user was a more prominent figure in the programming landscape." Very well worded point. The more you care about the well being of a user, the less a manager is an adversary and the more they become a misguided person who needs to be convinced. The adversarial relationship between management and programmers is the fault of both sides.