Some programming is higher skill than others. A lot of web development isn't that well paid because html hairdressing is easier than, say, working on c++ compi

Some programming is higher skill than others. A lot of web development isn't that well paid because html hairdressing is easier than, say, working on c++ compilers, or realtime embedded physics/maths, or whatever. I think you have an odd view of business if you think that the pay you'd get is dependent on its status. For one thing, how do you determine its status? Some comment on a blog doesn't really cut it (who cares?). (Likewise, I'm not sure what form "sticking up for your profession" takes. Writing a comment in response to the blog?). I understand all manner of illegal activities - drug dealing, for example - manage to make the perpetrators a lot of money. Perhaps they're counteracting the disdain many people feel for them by posting on blogs? Pay comes from a reward for doing work for people who will then use your work to make them more money. I've recently done work for banks and newspapers and they've never specified which language to use and wouldn't pay any less if they discovered what language I used. If you told people that there are a zillion shitty android apps written by newbie java developers who'd never programmed before and were written in a few days of their spare time i doubt many people would be surprised and it's clearly had no impact on the pay you'll receive as a competent java developer who keeps up with all the exciting frameworks.