This is exactly the kind of non-programming link that should end up on hacker news. I was fascinated by this glimpse into another world, it's similarities and

This is exactly the kind of non-programming link that should end up on hacker news. I was fascinated by this glimpse into another world, it's similarities and differences to the world of software. It's a world where entrepreneurs, artists, technicians, grunts, and others all try to work together, often in a brutally competitive environment. I'm also fascinated with the decision to go to a culinary academy or not (like programming, this is a field where you certainly can get an expensive degree, yet you need nobody's permission to code or cook... it's right for some, not right for others... though obviously, an academic background in computer science is more likely to pay off than a 60K culinary degree). You can try to do an end run around the entire establishment, and with enough capital, talent, luck, passion, you just might win... or you go about it with the almost the same highly structured process of academic degree and apprenticeship that a dentist would take. There are the dangers of a cushy job, but one that you need for the money. All in all, it sounds remarkably similar to the software world. Probably a little harder, and lower paid for the winners and losers, but with a different kind of glory if that's what you're going for. Great read, great post for a tuesday morning on HN.