Why I QUIT Coding (as an ex-Google programmer). ChatGPT won't save us.
TLDRThe video discusses the decline of the programming field and the speaker's decision to quit coding. They argue that the golden age of software engineering is over, comparing the future of programming to that of other once-popular careers like architecture and photography, which have since become less desirable. The speaker criticizes the saturation of college degrees and the lack of new opportunities in coding due to the closure of APIs by major platforms like Facebook and Twitter. They also express skepticism about the potential of AI, like Chat GPT, to revitalize the field, suggesting it is more of a tool than a game-changer. Instead, the speaker highlights new media formats and platforms, such as long-form audio content for wireless earbuds and the social media operating system, as areas with more promise. They conclude by advising young people to look for opportunities in emerging fields and to be at the forefront of technology, rather than pursuing traditional coding careers.
Takeaways
- 🚀 The speaker, an ex-Google programmer, is quitting coding due to the declining state of the programming field.
- 🤖 Chat GPT and AI technologies are not expected to revitalize the field or make everyone millionaires.
- 📉 Careers in programming are compared to those in architecture and photography, which have lost popularity over time.
- 🎓 A college degree, including in computer science, is described as being of questionable value in today's oversaturated job market.
- 🛠️ The future of programming is predicted to be similar to that of a tradesperson, with important but not necessarily high-paying work.
- 🚧 The lack of new API releases from major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is identified as a reason for the decline in coding opportunities.
- 💰 The speaker argues that it was not coding itself but access to app stores and APIs that allowed developers to become rich.
- 📉 The app industry is described as having 'dried up' with no recent viral apps, indicating a shift away from traditional app development.
- 🕹️ The potential of VR/AR and web 3.0 as new platforms for app development is mentioned, but their current state is not fulfilling expectations.
- 📈 The rise of wireless earbuds and long-form audio content is highlighted as a new media format with potential opportunities.
- 🌐 Social media is considered a new operating system, with content going viral on these platforms being more important than traditional apps or websites.
Q & A
Why is the speaker quitting coding?
-The speaker is quitting coding because they believe the field of programming has been dying for a long time and does not hold the same promise it once did, especially with the rise of AI and the saturation of the market.
What does the speaker compare the future of programming to?
-The speaker compares the future of programming to careers like being an electrician, civil bridge engineer, building inspector, or construction worker, which are important but not necessarily lucrative or glamorous.
Why did the popularity of nerds and geeks rise in the past few decades?
-The popularity of nerds and geeks rose due to the internet revolution, which made tech-savvy individuals like Steve Wozniak, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Jeff Bezos appear cool and successful.
What is the speaker's opinion on the role of APIs in making developers rich?
-The speaker believes that it was not coding itself but the apps, APIs, and app stores that allowed developers to gain access to large user bases and make them rich.
Why does the speaker think the industry for apps has dried up?
-The industry has dried up because platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube are not releasing public open APIs, thus preventing developers from tapping into their user bases to create apps.
What is the speaker's view on the potential of Chat GPT and AI?
-The speaker is skeptical about Chat GPT and AI, suggesting that they may not be the next big thing that will make everyone rich. They also question whether Chat GPT is truly AI or just advanced pattern recognition.
What new platform does the speaker mention as having potential?
-The speaker mentions the rise of wireless earbuds, like AirPods, which have enabled a new way of consuming long-form audio content, as a platform with potential.
What does the speaker suggest as a new model for digital business?
-The speaker suggests that the new model for digital business is the social media operating system, where content goes viral and acts as a sales funnel, rather than relying on traditional apps or websites.
What career advice does the speaker have for young people?
-The speaker advises young people to look for opportunities at the forefront of technology and to consider careers in content creation, AI tool proficiency, or other emerging fields rather than traditional programming.
Why does the speaker believe that software engineering has been over-glorified?
-The speaker believes that software engineering has been over-glorified due to the temporary app boom, which misled people into thinking that programming was a universally lucrative and desirable career.
What is the speaker's perspective on the future of coding and programmers?
-The speaker is pessimistic about the future of coding and programmers, suggesting that the profession may not offer the same opportunities and rewards as it once did, and that programmers should consider diversifying their skills.
Outlines
🚫 The Decline of Programming and Career Shifts
The speaker expresses their decision to quit coding, suggesting that the field of programming is dying. They recount their journey from childhood programming to achieving the rank of Staff Software Engineer at top tech companies like Facebook and Google. The speaker argues that the current state of programming is similar to other once-popular careers that have since declined, such as architecture and photography. They also mention the saturation of college degrees and the devaluation of programming as a profession. The speaker criticizes the current lack of API releases from major platforms, which they believe has contributed to the decline in opportunities for programmers. They also discuss the historical anomaly of nerds becoming celebrated figures, which they believe is unlikely to continue.
🤖 The Impact of AI and Machine Learning on Careers
The speaker discusses the rise and fall of various career opportunities, particularly in technology. They highlight that despite the hype around machine learning, only a few big tech companies and a handful of tech startups have truly benefited financially from it. The speaker is skeptical about the potential of AI, including the popular chat GPT, to revolutionize the job market or make people rich. They argue that the excitement around AI might be more about pattern recognition than true intelligence. They also mention the emergence of wireless earbuds as a new platform for long-form audio content, which represents a shift in media consumption.
🌐 The Social Media OS and New Career Opportunities
The speaker predicts that traditional apps and websites may become obsolete, as the social media operating system (OS) becomes the primary platform for content and interaction. They suggest that the focus should be on creating a sales funnel rather than a traditional landing page. The speaker also talks about their program, YouTube Backstage, which teaches people how to build a social media business from the ground up. They express concern for young people who have invested in education and coding skills, only to find limited job prospects and low salaries. The speaker advises looking forward for new opportunities rather than relying on outdated career paths. They also suggest that software engineers should consider new roles such as AI artists, game engine content creators, or citizen journalists, which are expected to grow in the future.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Software Engineering
💡Staff Software Engineer
💡API
💡App Store
💡Gold Rush
💡VR/AR
💡Web 3.0
💡Chat GPT
💡Social Media Operating System
💡Content Creator
💡AirPods
Highlights
The speaker, a former Google programmer, announces their decision to quit coding due to the declining state of the programming field.
They discuss the historical appeal of programming and how it has changed, comparing it to other professions like architecture and photography that have lost their luster over time.
The video argues that having a college degree, especially in programming, is becoming increasingly less valuable in today's oversaturated job market.
The speaker suggests that the role of a programmer will soon be seen as a necessary but not particularly lucrative or glamorous profession, much like an electrician or a construction worker.
They challenge the popular notion that being a 'nerd' or unpopular in school leads to later success, questioning if this 'fairy tale' may not hold true in the future.
The lack of new API releases from major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is highlighted as a reason for the decline in opportunities for programmers.
The speaker explains that it was not coding itself but access to app stores and APIs that allowed developers to become rich.
They reminisce about the 'app gold rush' and how the industry has since dried up, with no new viral apps or platforms emerging in recent years.
The potential of VR/AR and web 3.0 as new platforms for app development is mentioned, but their slow adoption is noted.
Chat GPT AI is criticized for not being a new 'gold rush' for programmers, as it does not provide access to users or funds like an app store would.
The speaker expresses skepticism about whether Chat GPT can be considered true AI, suggesting it may be more about pattern recognition than intelligence.
The rise of wireless earbuds and long-form audio content is presented as a new media format with potential for growth.
Social media is described as a new operating system, with content going viral on these platforms being the modern equivalent of a landing page.
The speaker proposes that the future lies in being a content creator on the 'social media OS' rather than developing traditional apps or websites.
They discuss the struggles of young people who have invested in education and coding only to find limited job prospects and low salaries.
The importance of being at the forefront of technology and creating new trends is emphasized for those looking to succeed in the tech industry.
The potential end of certain careers, such as NFT artists and doctors, due to advancements like AI-generated art and quick diagnoses by AI, is predicted.
The speaker identifies emerging fields such as AI content creation, game engine content creation, and being a citizen journalist on platforms like Twitter as areas of growth.
They conclude by advising software engineers to not be misled by the glamorization of programming and to look for opportunities in emerging fields and technologies.