Where have all the hackers gone?

Lovely article -- very original.

I'll add some anecdata, to give more context on why "atmosphere at all costs" might be en vogue.

- Most software engineering is CRUD

- Almost all 3rd generation, higher level languages can achieve CRUD (e.g. Javascript, C#, Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, Python, Perl -- even Bash)

- Most engineers will not have to dig around in the internals of a language to be able to do their jobs (e.g. that you can fine-tune and pick your own garbage collector (or even disable it completely), depending on the domain in Java (such as low-latency environments); whereas in .NET, you cannot really tune, swap out, or turn off the GC completely)

- Without needing to know the internals of a language, all the aforementioned languages are largely interchangeable (again, for CRUD -- and based on taste)

This is why you may commonly see people recommending that even if you don't know a language, you should be able to pick up whatever language a potential engagement requires (see: "a senior should be able to pick up frameworks and languages within a week or two"). I've always disliked this way of seeing the world. It rubs me in a certain grating way: that most work is CRUD, so you should optimize your career for being an interchangeable COG.

In my experience, if you take the time to learn a single language or ecosystem thoroughly, your chances of finding work for that specific ecosystem greatly increase -- versus the "generalist." Likewise, you'll be able to tell when it's the tool that's messing up, or yourself. Further, you'll be able to find more interesting, "deeper" work to handle -- rather than just building another CRUD web app. And lastly, life is too short to work with stuff you don't like.

For example, I love the .NET ecosystem. If I want to build something that isn't in the HPC space, I'll reach for it first. I know Java, but I don't like Java -- and I do not ever want to work with it. My ability to land .NET work is much easier, because I know the ecosystem -- not just how to program in an OOP language.

Or how about databases? I love Postgres. If I want a great OLTP DB, without any fuss, I'll reach for it first. I know MySQL/Mongo/SQL Server (to be fair, this one is also really good)/etc., but I don't like most of them. My ability to land work that utilizes Postgres is much easier, because I've taken the time to thoroughly understand it.

Or in other words, most people in the game are optimizing for commerce: how much money they make.

The hackers? They're in lower-level, systems programming languages; they're in compiler and language design; they're in low-latency or kernel programming; they're in stuff that isn't directly related to making money. Part of the reason I'm learning C++ is because the work there is more interesting (database engineering is very fun, but you need C++ or C in some cases) -- and the people more passionate. But also, because the gravy train is starting to dry up in CRUD -- anyone who can program can do it.

It could be an aspect of undiagnosed or unmedicated ADHD. ADHA applies more broadly than just states of focus and includes social conditions that when the ADHD is advanced can mimic behaviors commonly thought of autistic. One of those impaired social behaviors can include empathy development. Please note this does not apply to most cases of ADHD and seems to apply in cases that are more pronounced.

One key indicator of whether impaired empathy is the result of ADHD is that everything tends to be communicated as either starting from or directly referring to the person forming the communication almost as if narcissistic, but not necessarily with a selfishness intent.

OP didn't call his friend a jerk though. He said the conversation wasn't fruitful. There was a bit of an heir of "Oh, you don't know about GC?" but I think people are reading too much into that line.

[Engineer/HN stereotype implies un-diagnosed ADHD] has become an engineer/HN stereotype.

I personally think people can make empathy mistakes without having a permanent neurological disorder.

In some ways things are a lot harder. In the early 90s I was able to borrow Turbo C from my brother. He gave me a pointer to video memory and I could use math to draw stuff. I was making stuff in a few minutes.