by atomicnumber3 11 hours ago
We managed to generate probably-correct code, which can then be probably-corrected recursively to get to something that runs (usually).
This made everyone scream and lose their minds saying that code is finished, people think they don't need a technical cofounder anymore, think they don't need engineers anymore, etc. Then they're, at varying speeds, finding out they're wrong.
It seems oddly circular to me that the _exact hubris_ non-engineers have long accused engineers of - and we have indeed been too often guilty of - they themselves turn out to be JUST as guilty of! Just like engineers thought all sales did was bother people, and all marketing did was send emails, and all support did was tell people to turn it off and on again, and all product did was copy google... they all apparently thought all engineers did was tik-tak-click-clack type code all day and when it compiled it was done. Not knowing how much higher-order... well, engineering, there is to it.
Where are all the CTOs during all of this? I thought someone was supposed to be sticking up for their org? Sales, marketing, etc all seem to have entrenched C-suite people keeping their fiefdoms resistant to erosion by outsourcing, downsizing, etc. But all our CTOs seems to have collectively thrown us to the wolves.
> It seems oddly circular to me that the _exact hubris_ non-engineers have long accused engineers of - and we have indeed been too often guilty of - they themselves turn out to be JUST as guilty of!
I have hardly ever seen this kind of hubris among software developers. The only thing that was common was many software developers were - let's say - somewhat direct in their feedback towards people who are not willing to learn.
I thus rather have the feeling that this kind of accusation of hubris towards software developers rather originates in business people projecting their own overconfidence (hubris) onto software developers.
> I have hardly ever seen this kind of hubris among software developers.
Dilbert's entire schtick is the profound ineptitude of "business people".
That is not a fault that's specific to engineers. Lots of smart lawyers think they can learn basically anything over a weekend of hard study. It's probably a blind spot of intelligent people.
In my limited experience CTOs rarely get a seat at the big boys table, they mostly just take matching orders from the CEO, CFO, and sometimes sales.
> Just like engineers thought all sales did was bother people, and all marketing did was send emails
i mean, sure, the marketing one may be a bit simplified as the emails also need to have pretty pictures in them. and yeah, sure, sales people do need to find the people they’ll eventually start bothering later.
/s
> But all our CTOs seems to have collectively thrown us to the wolves.
the kind of person who usually finds their way into the executive class doesn’t get there by looking after those under them. they get there by avoiding blame and taking credit.
which, funnily enough, is exactly what a hype cycle is all about.