The demand still dramatically outstrips the supply for the time being and programming has a social network effect. Every device/store/application provides a wea

The demand still dramatically outstrips the supply for the time being and programming has a social network effect. Every device/store/application provides a wealth of data and interaction that other programmers can improve, work on or analyze. 3000 stores ordering by paper catalogues isn't nearly as useful or programmable as those same stores with computerized systems. FitBit's value increases with each app that uses it's interface to do something new. Each of those apps has it's value increased by something like FitBit coming out. Some areas of programming are competitive but most are collaborative. Also I think most programmers see programming as a force of good in the world. Technology can protect us, help us find what we want, and even get rid of boring jobs for us, most people who write code that does something like this want others to be able to do the same. Of course this is the altruism you are talking about I suppose.