I just want to code (2023)

Coding as Work vs Art/Hobby

• Many describe a sharp divide between coding at work (business-driven “software engineering”) and coding off-hours (art, self‑expression, experimentation).
• Hobby coding is framed as exploring ideas without deadlines, users, or quality constraints; some share small tools that gain tiny but motivating user communities.
• Others reject the “coding is fun” framing: for them hobby coding is stressful, hard, and primarily cathartic—valuable because it’s self‑directed, not because it’s enjoyable moment‑to‑moment.

Pressure to Monetize and Startup Culture

• A recurring tension: coding for curiosity vs coding to advance a career or build a product/ startup.
• Several feel guilty when passion projects don’t move them toward financial independence or titles; others consciously reject “be your own boss/get rich” narratives and are happy as well‑paid employees.
• Some propose a middle ground: build modest, boring-but-useful products with limited growth goals, or treat side work as skill‑building toward a distant “lifetime goal.”

Open Source, Sharing, and Ownership

• Some feel current ecosystems (especially GitHub) over‑emphasize human ownership, control, and “you own this forever” rather than letting code roam, fork, and form communities.
• Others point to traditional free software communities and alternative platforms as places where this works better.
• “Shower clauses” and IP grabs over off‑hours projects are widely criticized as destroying the psychological space needed for genuine hobby work.

Work Conditions, Burnout, and “Schlep”

• Commenters contrast early, more trusting cultures (“let them cook”) with modern Scrum/SAFe panopticons and heavy process, which drain joy and autonomy.
• Several recount burning out under constant pressure to optimize career, learn every new framework, and chase AI hype; some left the industry or took lower‑stress jobs and rediscovered the joy of learning and coding.

Money, Wealth, and Job Comparisons

• Views range from “it’s fine to become a millionaire via valuable work” to “chasing wealth beyond comfort is destructive.”
• Many argue software is comparatively a cushy, well‑paid job versus physical or emotionally draining work; others note that this premium may not last.
• FIRE aspirations, mid‑career plateauing, and the role of connections in high‑value startups (Stripe, banking integrations) are debated.

Motivation, Opportunity Cost, and Mental Health

• Some can “turn off” the business brain at 4pm and treat coding like running or climbing: inherently non‑monetized fun.
• Others find it hard to stop evaluating every side project in ROI or startup terms; constant awareness of opportunity cost can itself harm well‑being.
• Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation is discussed: intrinsic tends to produce deeper, more resilient engagement, but many people genuinely need external goals (money, users, praise) to stay motivated.