I do not want to be a programmer anymore

Changing nature of programming work

• Several commenters say the “new job” is pushing back on AI-backed ideas from clients, managers, and “AI experts” who sound confident but don’t grasp trade-offs.
• Others argue this is not new: stakeholders have always brought half-baked ideas; you quietly ignore the worst, do what makes sense, and let results speak.
• What has changed for some is the volume and confidence of bad ideas, and the energy cost of continuously saying “no” or “not like that.”

Using AI in engineering practice

• One camp suggests treating AI like any other advisor: never trust a single answer, cross-check with other tools.
• A stronger camp says cross-checking LLMs with other LLMs is pointless; you must understand and review any code or design you ship yourself. If you can’t review it, you shouldn’t run it.
• “Vibe coding”—non-engineers pasting AI output into production—is seen as a recipe for fragile systems and future cleanup work for experienced engineers.

Persuasion, authority, and critical thinking

• Several comments reframe the article’s story as an ego/communication issue, not an AI problem: relying on “I’m the expert, trust me” is just appeal to authority.
• AI’s real danger is its polished, authoritative style: it can be right or wrong, but sounds convincing either way, and people may switch off their own reasoning.
• Brandolini’s law is invoked: refuting confident nonsense—especially from “authoritative” AI—costs far more effort than generating it.

AI-generated content and authenticity

• A major thread accuses the linked blog of being largely AI-generated “slop” designed for traffic and email capture.
• Some advocate “assume AI by default” and move on; others call for an “AI flag” on submissions.
• The author replies extensively, saying early posts were heavily AI-edited for grammar and speed but claims the ideas are his; he’s now trying to write more in his own voice. Many remain unconvinced and argue that if the writer won’t invest effort, readers shouldn’t either.

Coping strategies and ethics

• Suggested tactics include:
  • Make requesters explain AI-driven proposals until it’s clear they don’t fully understand them.
  • Refuse to engage with AI-written communication at all, or let “your AI” respond to “their AI” in low-stakes professional contexts.
• One commenter places this in a broader trend: shrinking middle-class jobs, falling real wages, and pressure to accept worse conditions or ethically dubious work, with AI as one more accelerant.