[alightsoul]

Looks like you two are on opposite sides of the same fence. The demo scene exists it's programming for fun and creative expression. Also the ioccc. That's the equivalent of a creatively written novel. Then there's writing for just a job like writing knowledge bases. That would be programming for plumbing aka crud and cloud.

[yakshaving_jgt]

The demo scene — as cool as it is — is an obscure hobby for a particular kind of nerd.

The business side of programming puts food on the table for tens of millions of people.

[tines]

Can't the same thing be said about literature and music?

[walthamstow]

The earnings distribution in those arts are highly concentrated. Not the case for SWE.

[alightsoul]

what about stock music/corporate event production and writing knowledge bases/advertising? those would be the plumbing equivalents of music and writing imo

[yakshaving_jgt]

No. And if it could, I sure as hell never would have become a programmer.