Short disclosure, I work as a Software Developer in the US, and often have to keep my negative opinions about the tech industry to myself. I often post podcasts and articles critical of the tech industry here in order to vent and, in a way, commiserate over the current state of tech and its negative effects on our environment and the Global/American sociopolitical landscape.
I'm generally reluctant to express these opinions IRL as I'm afraid of burning certain bridges in the tech industry that could one day lead to further employment opportunities. I also don't want to get into these kinds of discussions except with my closest friends and family, as I could foresee them getting quite heated and lengthy with certain people in my social circles.
Some of these negative opinions include:
- I think that the industries based around cryptocurrencies and other blockchain technologies have always been, and have repeatedly proven themselves to be, nothing more or less than scams run and perpetuated by scam artists.
- I think that the AI industry is particularly harmful to writers, journalists, actors, artists, and others. This is not because AI produces better pieces of work, but rather due to misanthropic viewpoints of particularly toxic and powerful individuals at the top of the tech industry hierarchy pushing AI as the next big thing due to their general misunderstanding or outright dislike of the general public.
- I think that capitalism will ultimately doom the tech industry as it reinforces poor system design that deemphasizes maintenance and maintainability in preference of a move fast and break things mentality that still pervades many parts of tech.
- I think we've squeezed as much capital out of advertising as is possible without completely alienating the modern user, and we risk creating strong anti tech sentiments among the general population if we don't figure out a less intrusive way of monetizing software.
You can agree or disagree with me, but in this thread I'd prefer not to get into arguments over the particular details of why any one of our opinions are wrong or right. Rather, I'd hope you could list what opinions on the tech industry you hold that you feel comfortable expressing here, but are, for whatever reason, reluctant to express in public or at work. I'd also welcome an elaboration of said reason, should you feel comfortable to give it.
I doubt we can completely avoid disagreements, but I'll humbly ask that we all attempt to keep this as civil as possible. Thanks in advance for all thoughtful responses.
People and I've been beaten over the head with it too, were marketed to believe that to make it successfully in life is to go with tech. The problem is that most of the people didn't begin with the chops to even understand tech to begin with and yet they try. That's why you see these people working in tech when they shouldn't be. Some are in tech because they got the obvious leg-up, word in about them through a friend which is common. And usually they're managing departments or sectors of tech that they have absolutely no grasp of but they're there for the gravy train of money because working in tech is where some big money is.
Ive been programming as a hobby before I got a degree in game programming last year. I applied to as many companies as I could, for 6 months, before my funds ran dry. I was forced to go back to min wage.
I've seen people program, and I've seen people "program". People who "program" do it 10 times faster than someone who takes the time to solve the problem and build a modular solution that scales.
Who is the company going to hire, the person who fixes it fastest, or the person who fixes it right?
I'm using my degree to seek a new career. I love programming, but I can't fight the industry.
Good luck out there, I hope you get your foot in the door soon! Once you're in with a good company and they understand your value, you'll do well.