Amen. That original article wasn't even worth a rebuttal. I started in QA (on EverQuest) when I was 20. No degree, just a couple level 60 characters. After 2 years of overtime, hard work, and taking programming classes at the community college I got a junior programmer job in another department. 12 years later I'm a cofounder and CTO at my own indie game startup. The system works!
My take on the whole affair: it is a rough-and-tumble branch of the tech industry, where degrees and methodology don't count for as much, and that some people can't stomach for too long even if they think they want to. Given the persistence of abusive practices by employers, employees would probably benefit from some sort of labor organization, but it just doesn't seem like that will happen in the US.
As a talented and recognized musician, I didn't understand why the disgruntled QA guy tried to work his way up that way. I can only assume he tried to enter the industry as a musician and was rebuffed.