I mostly agree with what the author is saying, although I would argue that it has nothing to do specifically with programmers. Our entire culture is risk-averse

I mostly agree with what the author is saying, although I would argue that it has nothing to do specifically with programmers. Our entire culture is risk-averse, preferring a "safe" job to the potential reward of starting a business. Here is one (anecdotal) example. I have been working on a business idea, and everyone tells me it is a good idea. I even have a working prototype. But the conversation always turns into a discussion about getting a job. I ask for a few hundred dollars to help with the business, they say no. Then later in the discussion they offer (without me even asking) a few hundred dollars to help support me while I find a job. Either way it is a few hundred bucks, but the job is acceptable, the business is not. This happens even for other investments where I show them numbers and we have a high probability of making money. Even then, no. Even outside the world of business, people are afraid of risk. Even something as simple as trying a new food is too risky for some people. Our culture is so risk-averse that it is frightening.