[frankie_t]

Same here. FWIW, you can still absolutely do it, just like you can weave your own fabric. You probably won't be able to monetize it though, as it won't give you as much edge in the workspace anymore. It's just a thing to do in your spare time.

Not sure if it helps with the feeling of futility or not. For me, it doesn't really help that much because ultimately I want the skills and knowledge I gathered to benefit me in some way. For example, previously I would be able to better understand computers and software, be an "overall better" programmer, better thinker (in terms of computation). If the results you get are not used in any way, it's on the same level as memorizing rule sets for some obscure game that no one knows or cares about.

Maybe pivoting to something else like philosophy could make sense as a hobby.

Of course, there's always going to be some demand for knowing computers, knowing programming languages first-hand, etc. Writing or auditing code for critical systems. Teaching the next generations of people that will do critical systems. Some people are optimistic in that they are going to fall into that demand. I'm not optimistic about myself.