Self-taught programmers get a bad rap for multiple reasons; because people with degrees want to protect their market value and ego, because programmers have a tendency to act very competitively and arrogantly toward other programmers, and because the industry's business culture is so absolutely intolerant of perceived weakness and negativity. There are hardly any companies which did not decide that they require 'A players' which means not having a single apparent dent or scratch anywhere in your record, regardless of what ability you have manifested.

Basically, this is a hostile industry and being self-taught is blood in the water, a lot like being female (this needn't be explicit sexism, just a prevailing macho culture where if you seem weak in any way you don't belong).

Nothing I have said affects the ability of a life-long learner to have fun and do good work in any way. Getting respect and getting paid are another issue.

I agree completely. But I think that both subsets, the degree laden and the "no degrees allowed" crowd both apply the same labeling towards one another. Get's to a point where no one who's hiring for a worthwhile company cares about computer science degrees and cares more about exposure, references, and past experience. I think the industry is becoming more hostile towards both, no degree and degree types all the same. It's hostile towards anyone that hasn't proven they're worth their weight in gold either because of their github account or their past work experience. And that my friend a good thing.

I hold that the hostility is not really contingent on how good you are, but rather on perceived weakness. Most programmers intentionally try to make others feel and look incompetent, while trying themselves to come off like badasses. Partly a matter of being socially inept, partly of a macho culture in the field. And it's only aggravated when you have those programmers interviewing candidates... This is independent of ability - there are plenty of morons calling themselves A-players. You have to play that game or you will be seen as weak and torn apart.

That is NOT a good thing. For example, it is actively driving women who are interested in computers and good at programming away from the industry. Who wants to deal with the boys' club?

I don't think that's the case now... I wary of people with a bunch of certifications and college degrees when I'm hiring for my department. I tend to look more for the small details that let me know that the person is up to date and loves programming more than if they have been taught "classically" .

Interestingly enough, almost every "computer science engineer" with 11 page CV's I've interviewed have not been able to pass a basic test I get all possible recruits do. Be assured though, it's just a filter to get the people that just don't know enough, not an actual "test" per-se