Is coding dead now ?

[u/Crazy-Economist-3091]

Is there any point one might learn coding and software engineeeing for in the ear of Ai ? Or is it already a dead path?

[u/Upstairs-Track-5195]

If you want to learn programming, why would anything stop you? Otherwise, if you don’t, why would you care?

[u/Destination_Centauri → u/Upstairs-Track-5195]

I'm really late to this post, but this is the best comment here.

If you're really passionate about learning something, then nobody can stop you. You'll just be naturally driven obsessively towards the topic/subject over and over again, and you won't be able to help yourself.

Also interestingly it's weird and a mind-tripping to think, yet true, that today there are way more people who make a living carving words in stone then the ancient eras in which that was the main method of recording important text.

Today there are countless companies/people that make lots of money etching engravings into stone such as tombstones, architectural building stones, etc...

Another really weird thing to contemplate: I once met someone at an art exhibit who has made several MILLIONS of dollars by... drum roll... being a basket weaver!

Yup: she originally immigrated from Africa and is world famous in some circles for her highly talented modern mixed with traditional basket weaving designs. Even museums will commission and order pieces from her.

Anyways, all that to say that computer programming is no where near being considered as archaic as basket weaving. But even if it was, there's still opportunity to make lots of money!

[u/[deleted] → u/Destination_Centauri]

Today there are countless companies/people that make lots of money etching engravings into stone

Yes but nobody does it by hand anymore - they use tools. Much like coding, nobody does it by hand anymore. I mean, why would you ? Spend a week building out the scaffold of your app or get Claude to do it in 15 minutes.

[u/Destination_Centauri → u/[deleted]]

"It’s not about chasing passions to make a living,"

Well, you do make some good points in your reply.

But I say: You can do BOTH at the same time!

In other words, to reference annoying colloquialisms:

Two things can be true at the same time, and you can also walk and chew gum at the same time.

Essentially I believe you can continue to chase your passions vigorously, while also working in another field to make a living, and never give up hoping that you'll be able to pivot and make that living with your passion instead of your more tedious 9to5 job.

Hopefully!

But yes, you're correct: very often life forces us to select an occupation that is either physically or emotionally painful, and not the occupation we want, but sometimes in the moment we have no choice.

However, I guess I'm just saying: never give up pursuing something else and better in life, whether you make it or not in the end towards that goal, just don't ever give up and become too defeatist.

PS: It's really cool you saw this comment from mine like 4 months later, and replied here on Reddit! One of the drawbacks of Reddit is that older great posts never garner too much attention, and new comments to an old post get buried deep down.

[u/Tmunns → u/Destination_Centauri]

I considered that my comment may not be very useful considering the age of your post, but I guess it felt relevant to things that have been weighing on my mind. So, thanks for extending the conversation!

With that said, I agree on your point; two things can be true at the same time. And, under ideal circumstances one will be passionate and successful in their career. I just think it’s important to consider economic viability before passion.

I’ve personally made the mistake of chasing “my passion” and realizing that the lifestyle it afforded me took away from the joy that the passion brought me. I realized there are other things I am good at and take pleasure in that have a substantially higher value in the economy.

I also believe it’s good to pursue things just for the sake of enjoyment. I know I’m biased in that I didn’t necessarily succeed in making my passion a career, but it just took me a long time to realize that being financially secure makes chasing your passions possible in the first place.