I see where you’re coming from and this was definitely my attitude in my twenties: do the hard work to understand the underlying concepts and not just become a code monkey.
But I must admit as I get older, I don’t have as much time or patience to devote to this and I’m getting to terms with getting good enough to make a living rather than really understand $new_technology. I think this is partly from getting old and not wanting to sink so much of my own time and mental energy on computer stuff, but also from realizing how little it matters to most PHBs/middle managers who basically hold your fate in their hands. I’ve become much more cynical after a decade in the industry and I’ve realized how much of my own energy and health I have wasted in trying to get a deeper understanding of programming concepts. It was personally satisfying for a while, but it doesn’t pay off for most people. Most orgs want it done fast and cheap, they don’t want squeaky wheels, PHBs think in quarters and only want the thing to not blow up until after they get promoted in a year or two.
Developers who deliver that kind of low cost code fast (albeit low quality) have much more stable careers, better promotions, and get bonuses.
The rest of us ruin our mental health, paint targets on our backs, and don’t get as far. But man do we know our shit.
What you say is sadly true, our industry is overrun with bullshit artists and hustlers who are really only looking out for number one and the short term. I find it demoralizing at times as well.
What I've found is that good companies and outfits do exist out there, but usually they can't pay as well. Or they are boutique consultancies where everybody really cares about the craft...but then you have the realities of consulting to deal with (i.e., dealing with really difficult people).
I am not sure what to say other than: please don't give up hope. Things can get better but you may have to change your expectations or value system to find a place that works for you. Or if you have the stomach for it, try to build a product on your own leveraging your expertise.
For myself, a difficult but necessary change has been not wrapping so much of my self-identity up in 'being a great programmer.' Yes, I know some things in tech, and that's cool, but there is more to life than technology. But just to re-emphasize: I hear you, and it's tough. Wish you the best.
I agree it’s sad but I also have to look out for myself. There is no point in exhausting your energy trying to fix something where no one wants it fixed at best or is actively fighting you to fix it. It’s not even your money that’s being set on fire then, but it is your sanity.
Curious if you’ve found either a better company, or created your own product? It’s difficult to come to terms with mediocrity and needless toil, I went into this industry because I like well designed and efficient systems.
But I must admit as I get older, I don’t have as much time or patience to devote to this and I’m getting to terms with getting good enough to make a living rather than really understand $new_technology. I think this is partly from getting old and not wanting to sink so much of my own time and mental energy on computer stuff, but also from realizing how little it matters to most PHBs/middle managers who basically hold your fate in their hands. I’ve become much more cynical after a decade in the industry and I’ve realized how much of my own energy and health I have wasted in trying to get a deeper understanding of programming concepts. It was personally satisfying for a while, but it doesn’t pay off for most people. Most orgs want it done fast and cheap, they don’t want squeaky wheels, PHBs think in quarters and only want the thing to not blow up until after they get promoted in a year or two.
Developers who deliver that kind of low cost code fast (albeit low quality) have much more stable careers, better promotions, and get bonuses.
The rest of us ruin our mental health, paint targets on our backs, and don’t get as far. But man do we know our shit.