Hello programmers! I’ve been making a living for a couple of decades figuring out stuff for people and coding whatever will make them happy. It’s fun. I’ve grown to prefer the people to the coding but I still get a kick out of the whole thing.
The problem is: at the job we’re being asked to pivot to vibe coding. At this point the order is to use it for all code, read the slop carefully, argue with the machine for way too long and only then open that PR. Massive productivity gains are expected. I’m appalled from an ethical, philosophical and professional standpoint. We’re a non-profit ngo ffs. My colleagues are fine with it. If I get even slightly critical the group goes awkwardly silent and I get comments on how all the programmers they know from other places don’t code anymore.
If this is how it goes from now on, I’m out. Is it really though? Are all businesses switching to vibe coding? Have some of you started switching career? I think I want to go to meatspace. Hand-made coding could make a cute hobby.
If vibe coding remains the norm and is actually sustainable, there won’t be a reliable career. You’ll be weavers being put out of work by the autoloom. You’re worthless to them. What can you do that someone with six weeks (or less) of training can’t?
AI seems to be killing opportunities for entry level engineers. Hiring and interviewing processes I’ve been involved with or observed in the last ~2 years have greatly favored experienced engineers, just less of them. I’m gonna do my damndest to adapt, network, and remain in that bracket.
That’s not a trivial problem. There will still be some programmers, but everyone will be competing for a shrinking number of jobs.
That’s not a future with a stable career. That’s a future where you’re going to have to fight for the rest of your life to keep a job.
Unless the LLM hype craze dies down and they realize “oh actually we can’t replace people yet” and they start hiring again.