4 ms·

There are limitless free resources available on the web such that pretty much anyone who wants to be a software developer, COULD be a software developer. So wh

There are limitless free resources available on the web such that pretty much anyone who wants to be a software developer, COULD be a software developer. So why aren't there more people for these highly compensated jobs? I remember seeing someone say 'Running is free, but not everyone can be Usain Bolt'. A bit elitist to be sure, but being a good developer requires a certain type of thinking that simply isn't common in the general population.

thecoppinger 4y ago
I’d disagree — I think most folks are too busy and stressed to learn to code. Access to quality, free information isn’t enough, sadly. The average person the world over isn’t in a position to make the jump due to economic factors over intellectual limits.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- steve1977 4y ago
  But there are many many people at least in the western world who absolutely would be in a position to make the jump. And yet they choose not to.
  - thecoppinger 4y ago
    I'd argue that having the confidence and ambition to make the jump is also a function of privilege to some degree.
    - steve1977 4y ago
      Well, you could argue that having any kind of talent or ability (inherent or or not) is a privilege then.
ZephyrBlu 4y ago
Completely agree. Most people are just not cut out to be developers. Not in a "you're not smart enough" sense, but in a "your mind does not operate this way" / "you won't enjoy the work" sense.
Viliam1234 4y ago
> There are limitless free resources available on the web such that pretty much anyone who wants to be a software developer, COULD be a software developer. Mostly correct, with one objection: time is also a necessary resource to become a software developer. Some people who may have the talent do not get the opportunity to learn simply by having to keep a full-time job (or two) since they were 18 (and getting a shitty education before that). Most of us have enough free time to learn things (otherwise we would not have enough time to discuss on HN), but it is not universally true. That said, although giving everyone a realistic opportunity to become a software developer would be fair to the unlucky individuals, I do not assume that it would change the balance in general.

thecoppinger 4y ago

I’d disagree — I think most folks are too busy and stressed to learn to code. Access to quality, free information isn’t enough, sadly. The average person the world over isn’t in a position to make the jump due to economic factors over intellectual limits.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
steve1977 4y ago
But there are many many people at least in the western world who absolutely would be in a position to make the jump. And yet they choose not to.
- thecoppinger 4y ago
  I'd argue that having the confidence and ambition to make the jump is also a function of privilege to some degree.
  - steve1977 4y ago
    Well, you could argue that having any kind of talent or ability (inherent or or not) is a privilege then.

ZephyrBlu 4y ago

Completely agree. Most people are just not cut out to be developers. Not in a "you're not smart enough" sense, but in a "your mind does not operate this way" / "you won't enjoy the work" sense.

Viliam1234 4y ago

> There are limitless free resources available on the web such that pretty much anyone who wants to be a software developer, COULD be a software developer. Mostly correct, with one objection: time is also a necessary resource to become a software developer. Some people who may have the talent do not get the opportunity to learn simply by having to keep a full-time job (or two) since they were 18 (and getting a shitty education before that). Most of us have enough free time to learn things (otherwise we would not have enough time to discuss on HN), but it is not universally true. That said, although giving everyone a realistic opportunity to become a software developer would be fair to the unlucky individuals, I do not assume that it would change the balance in general.