[sangnoir]

> I _strongly_ disagree with a fully cynical response of working only to contract, leveraging job offers for raises, etc

Would you consider employers to be "fully cynical" about their affairs and interactions with employees? I do. Being a happy little cog is it's own reward, but ine has to be clear-eyed about it.

> If people know you are a standout contributor then you will be hired quickly into desirable roles.

You are presenting a false dichotomy - one can be an outstanding contributor while working 40 hours per week.

[roguecoder]

I think employers are, and I think it costs them a ton of money.

My intrinsic responsibility isn't to the person handing me a check: we have an explicit contract. It is first to myself, second to the people whose lives are affected by the software I write, and third to my coworkers.

When developers pretend the relationship with an employer is just the two of them, they are giving up most of the leverage they have to change how their work functions.

[scarface_74]

My first responsibility is to the people - including myself - who depend on me to have money in my account to support our addictions to food, clothes and shelter