Playing a touch of devils advocate here. I'm not really sure what 'scale' means in this context. I think a more realistic way to phrase it is "once I code some

Playing a touch of devils advocate here. I'm not really sure what 'scale' means in this context. I think a more realistic way to phrase it is "once I code something it's yours....and doesn't need to be done again". In short, you have a static snapshot of something that you can do whatever you want with.If it can be used to 'scale' your business then that's fine. In contrast a Janitor will always be needed to do the same tasks in a perpetual motion.Same with field workers etc. As to why one gets paid more than the other....I still don't know. :) If you want to scale a fruit distribution business you will need to 'scale' fruit pickers just like a tech company would need coders. So I am still confused. I suppose the assumption is that 1 coder can get your business further than 20 fruit pickers or janitors. But... You could replace many coders the same way you can replace janitors via Odesk, Elance etc. I know I'm making a broad stroke with that statement but I'm being contrarian intentionally. As far as the CEO comment it makes sense but not because he's a CEO. It makes sense because of a broader social and psychological issue. He can do something that others can't albeit within a certain cultural context. This makes him valuable.