I think you're being a bit dramatic. I agree that programmers need a little more respect, but what you're saying is a bit silly. You can't coerce a programmer

I think you're being a bit dramatic. I agree that programmers need a little more respect, but what you're saying is a bit silly. You can't coerce a programmer into doing work for you. They want either cash or stake for their work. They have the right to say no if they don't like the deal. I can't see how you could take that as a form of exploitation. Good programmers are in demand and are paid well; they have a choice, unlike low wage foreigner workers (for whom you could better argue were being exploited).