[sean_patel]

> programmers are just "coder monkeys"

Wow, how condescending ( the family, not OP). Is this notion isolated or widespread?

My family thinks I am a Tech Ninja, and almost all my Gym friends, many of who are in blue collar jobs, really look up to me.

[raarts]

I can attest this notion is widespread, especially among MBA types and entrepreneurs in general.

[senorjazz]

well they are right, kind of. We are just the descendants of monkeys who code.

Ain't nothing wrong with that :)

[brianwawok]

Well if it goes too far you end up like Europe with a salary cap and a very narrow job range. I am greatful developers in the US are not all seem as code monkies.