[ryanobjc]

Interesting article, sounds like the author has really taken charge of their career and managed to do well.

Now, what about an alternative world where he did not "get oo" or perhaps a lifestyle where he had children and no time at work to learn. Or one of these newer not quite as successful software companies which has no money and no extra time.

Keeping up with new tech requires time, and money. Start ups provide neither of these. Even bigger "start ups" attempt to keep up the illusions of a smaller company including mandatory over time and no extras (eg tuition reimbursement, sabbaticals, more than 2 weeks of pto a year, etc).

The other thing, computing as a career is quite a bit harder, more complex, and highly competitive than when the author had their formative years.

The real rallying cry is how do you make an industry that respects career advancement?

[jasonlotito]

> where he had children and no time at work to learn.

Using children as an excuse is laziness. It might not be as easy, but having children does not preclude you from learning new things or advancing yourself. It requires effort and planning, but frankly, using children as an excuse is wrong.

> Keeping up with new tech requires time, and money.

It requires time and effort. Money is rarely an issue.

> Even bigger "start ups" attempt to keep up the illusions of a smaller company

I'm going to assume that you just have bad experiences, because this is hardly my experience.

[JackMorgan]

Though I have no children, I do have a wife I want to spend my evenings with, so I organized my professional life such that I could take a train into work 25 minutes each way. That means I get almost an hour of uninterrupted study time to advance my skills. It has been fantastic. When I get home, it's us time all night. I've been doing this for over a year, and I've seen a profound difference in my skills.