Real Programmers as an Endangered Species

Now, lest you think I might have some cunning, insightful suggestion as to how this never-ending descent into software mediocrity can be halted, I don't. The trend is actually not reversible and, even if it was, there's no commercial reason to do so. The end users' expectations have been thoroughly set to "low," there's market demand, and, as A.M.M. succinctly put it, "since the new software paradigm is online, there's no need to worry. Release it, patch it up later, take the money NOW. (barf)"

I'm sorry, but if you're a real programmer with serious skills and experience, you are an endangered species. Today, spirits are no longer brave, the stakes are all financial, and the only small furry creatures are the bean counters.

Gibbs is real in Ventura, Calif. Tell him of your programming chops at backspin@gibbs.com and follow him on Twitter and App.net (@quistuipater) and on Facebook (quistuipater).

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