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>we magnify the importance of programming and technology because we ourselves make a living from it I'm not so sure about this. Programming is one of the only

>we magnify the importance of programming and technology because we ourselves make a living from it I'm not so sure about this. Programming is one of the only skills I can think of that free you from having to find a "job". If the market is crap you can make something yourself. You don't have that option if you're, say, a SAP administrator because it takes a fairly large organization to have that.

sdeyerle 14y ago
There are a whole lot of jobs outside of technology. You could just as easily learn to weld and make a living for yourself.
- flyinRyan 14y ago
  My dad was a welder. It would be hard to convince me there is money in that unless you have a big upfront investment. Exactly what we as programmers don't need.
steverb 14y ago
>Programming is one of the only skills I can think of that free you from having to find a "job". You're ignoring carpentry, sewing, knitting, smithing, machining, writing, cooking and a host of other non-STEM related skills. I'm the only member of my immediate family that doesn't work in one of the "trades", and oddly enough I'm the only one that doesn't work for myself.
- flyinRyan 14y ago
  You have a point but several of your examples will allow the person to not have to find a job at a big company but they either have a big up front cost, a very low ceiling on potential earnings or both. Programming has neither and that's what I was talking about. Sorry if I didn't express that clearly.
  - ams6110 14y ago
    Almost everyone I know in the trades makes more money than the people I know in software. I'm talking about really skilled plumbers, electricians, contractors, etc. Not high-school dropouts hanging drywall so they can buy their next hit of meth or case of beer.
    - steverb 14y ago
      I personally don't see a huge difference between the traditional skilled trades and being a software developer. One of my brothers, who is a carpenter, cares as much about wood (species, age, drying method, etc) and his tools as I care about computers and my tools. We both spend way more time than "normal people" caring about the things that matter to our craft. Disclaimer: I'm a big fan of the software craftsmanship thing. I may be an idiot.

sdeyerle 14y ago

There are a whole lot of jobs outside of technology. You could just as easily learn to weld and make a living for yourself.

flyinRyan 14y ago
My dad was a welder. It would be hard to convince me there is money in that unless you have a big upfront investment. Exactly what we as programmers don't need.

steverb 14y ago

>Programming is one of the only skills I can think of that free you from having to find a "job". You're ignoring carpentry, sewing, knitting, smithing, machining, writing, cooking and a host of other non-STEM related skills. I'm the only member of my immediate family that doesn't work in one of the "trades", and oddly enough I'm the only one that doesn't work for myself.

flyinRyan 14y ago
You have a point but several of your examples will allow the person to not have to find a job at a big company but they either have a big up front cost, a very low ceiling on potential earnings or both. Programming has neither and that's what I was talking about. Sorry if I didn't express that clearly.
- ams6110 14y ago
  Almost everyone I know in the trades makes more money than the people I know in software. I'm talking about really skilled plumbers, electricians, contractors, etc. Not high-school dropouts hanging drywall so they can buy their next hit of meth or case of beer.
  - steverb 14y ago
    I personally don't see a huge difference between the traditional skilled trades and being a software developer. One of my brothers, who is a carpenter, cares as much about wood (species, age, drying method, etc) and his tools as I care about computers and my tools. We both spend way more time than "normal people" caring about the things that matter to our craft. Disclaimer: I'm a big fan of the software craftsmanship thing. I may be an idiot.