[babarock]

I'm one of the young foolish programmers mentioned in the article. While I don't think every problem can be brute forced with code, I do feel that the only problems worth working on are those solved with code.

Code can be a end itself, and not just the means to build some grand master plan. Nobody minds that linguists study our spoken languages (or even dead ones - Latin). But we have to act like code is something banal and shallow.

Then again, what do I know. I'm 24 and have just started working. Maybe I'm completely stupid. Maybe I won't be as idealist at 40. Maybe the majority of people in my class were right to tell recruiters "I'm not really interested in technical jobs, I'm more into management"? Maybe I should follow the money and apply to these consulting firms that are happy to hire engineers from prestigious schools?

[hunterp]

I'm the author.

Keep your skills sharp. Every product that has software has a purpose. Google is a search engine. Android is a phone and an app market. A good app has a clear purpose and is easy to use.

But, work on your social skills. An idea that is coded with someone else as a sounding board is generally stronger than an idea coded by someone sitting alone at a desk.

Good luck!