[hnthrowaway0315]

If you are lucky and got in early, then probably yes, it could be a lifetime career. It's like all careers, when you joined early, you got a lot of opportunities, you also rode the wave, you eventually rose to the top if you grit through.

It's a lot easier to be early than to be smart or quick.

[senko]

If you're on the top, you probably aren't coding much. So you're more in management than getting your hands dirty.

[hnthrowaway0315]

Yeah, but you still have the choice to stay in the trench. People like Carmack/Cutler do that. But I agree the majority just go high management.