This is a post from 2021. Pre-COVID times were way more closer to what the author described, and around 2010 was even more closer. I couldn’t see it that clearly at that time that something changed regarding this, for me it was just a hunch.
For example, the number of developers who are in this field only because of money, and money alone, increased greatly. Of course, companies are also responsible to slowly kill every other incentives (and they are working to kill this one too), but the difference is stark compared to 10 or 15 years ago. And I heard that it’s more brutal compared to 2000s.
I went through college around 2000 in compsci and I remember even back then noticing that there were about 10% of us that cared. The other 90% were just in it for money/prestige. The dotbomb cleared them out, but post 2009 you could see the folks creeping back in due to Facebook and co.
> The other 90% were just in it for money/prestige.
I remember, that we were considered still loosers at that time. Even in early 2010s, I had discussions that how geeks are loosers. We even had several movies and series whose main topic was that geeks are loosers. Even in those where we were the protagonists. So I highly doubt that your experience is generic.
The Hollywood depiction doesn't matter if you're in a position to go to college and you're picking your major for what pays best. The only other safe bets are law and medicine, and even a freshman will realize those are much more work.
For example, the number of developers who are in this field only because of money, and money alone, increased greatly. Of course, companies are also responsible to slowly kill every other incentives (and they are working to kill this one too), but the difference is stark compared to 10 or 15 years ago. And I heard that it’s more brutal compared to 2000s.